July 26, 2009

http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=4777

NATHAN CARPENTER, "NO FRIEND. SIN. THE GROUND."

Weird and challenging debut

Described as “black magic blues” by his label, 19 year old Carpenter is a tough nut to crack. Spare, at times skeletal, acoustic ruminations that at times throw melody out of the window make this album one to avoid if you’re looking for a good time.

At times reminiscent of the latter wails of Floyd’s Syd Barrett or Tom Waits’ rural cousin, Carpenter attacks his lyrics with a feral grace and takes no prisoners. The music is brutal. Slashed acoustic guitar chords, wailing harmonica, lonesome banjo, shouts and howls predominate. Beneath this however there is bedrock of an odd assortment of sounds. Produced at times by accordion, theremin and melodica, they provide a sparse touchpoint for those who like to have some memory of a tune to hang their ears on.

That said, anyone who has enjoyed the likes of Tom Waits’ wilder years or bands such as The Agrarians should be able to get their toe in the door here. Listening to songs such as “Skeleton Danse”, “Disease-Ridden Blues” or “ Man with a Toe for a Thumb” they will recognise the spidery slide guitars and wracked vocals as bedfellows of Mr. Waits or even the venerable Beefheart. Carpenter can do melody as on the song Trident” which is the most accessible song here, similar to some of Howe Gelbs’ output. On “Robbery Lane” Carpenter even rocks out for a moment or two with a song that descends into musical chaos sounding like Eugene Chadbourne on the midway. The two standout tracks are “The Elephant Man” which wheezes along with a sea shanty shambolic sound. The final song “Coming To Terms” follows what appears to be a medieval folk template although one gets the sense that this is what the black plague would have sounded like if sung about by disease ridden sailors from the 14th Century.
A brave release that may require several sittings to make sense of but which is somewhat astonishing for so young an artist.

Date review added: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Reviewer: Paul Kerr
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10

The english have good taste, and so should you. Pick up No Friend. Sin. The Ground. right here!

» Nathan Carpenter

07/15/09 – Guestlist Magazine reviews "No Friend. Sin. The Ground."
07/05/09 – Jersey City Independent reviews "Taxes."
05/12/09 – "Taxes." is coming May 23rd!
04/24/09 – 2 Big Events!
04/09/09 – New Songs from Nathan Carpenter's Debut Up Now!