I was having an email conversation with Sandy Serge (who runs a media company in the US) in July, who told me that although they weren’t covering any prog at the moment would I be interested in a singer songwriter for a change? I answered in the affirmative, which is why I am now sat listening to Nathaniel Land, wondering how I can do justice to what I am now listening to. If I had to come up with a current day comparison, then it would probably be Train, but there are also elements of Ryan Adams, Michel Stipe (particularly) and even Neil Young (but with a very different vocal style). This is acoustic pop with electric guitars, harmonies and melodies, radio friendly while refusing to conform to any particular style.
Every time I play it, it feels like a soundtrack, as if I am in a movie where I am walking along a path in the forest with the sun breaking through the trees and this is playing all around me. It is music that belongs in an environment like the Borderline, but deserves to be heard in arenas. It may not have the rough and readiness of Bruce Springsteen or Steve Earle, but also belongs to the people as it is 100% honest and grounded. This is music by someone who is happy using a band to assist in providing emphasis to his music but is also very much home just singing with his acoustic.
I have enjoyed this album a great deal, and although it isn’t a type of music that I often listen to I know that this is one to which I will often be returning. A sheer delight from start to end.
