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Nathan Hamilton: All for Love and Wages |
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Track List 1.
Dry River |
(Stepping Stone Records) Nathan Hamilton
released his debut album Tuscola, in 1999. That album netted
him two songs that charted on the Americana chart, "Cash & Tobacco"
and "Spent," and much critical acclaim. The following year, he won the
coveted Kerriville New Folk Award, putting him in the elite company of
past winners such as Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and
Slaid Cleaves.
All For Love And Wages is the
long awaited follow up to his debut. Although his music is considered
country/folk, don't let that mislead you. Nathan delivers hard
hitting, gritty, edgy songs, and can rock with the best of them when
the need arises. His songs mainly focus on topics other writers tend
to steer clear of- the darker, uglier side of life, yet
Nathan delivers them with a poignancy and depth that makes them
accessible to the listener. He's also got an amazing talent at both
creating memorable characters, and telling a great story in the
process, that immediately draws the listener in and keeps them
captivated. Although the subject matter may be dark and gritty, his
melodies are largely upbeat, and his lyrics aren't devoid of being
injected with touches of wit, which steers them very clear of being
depressing laments.
Nathan's songwriting is intelligent, and
his words so vivid, the listener can easily visualize his
characters. In "Bottle In The Bathroom," you can clearly see the
picture of a man trying to hold together his disintegrating family.
The alcoholic wife in denial, that hides her bottles thinking no one
knows. The husband that gets another call at work from his very young
daughter, telling him she's been left at home alone again. Of
the sympathetic boss who knows the guy's got big problems, but it's
the 7th time this month, and he needs someone that can do the job, and
he's got to get things at home straightened out. In the next lines,
the listener realizes this isn't the first job he's about to lose over
the situation, and it won't be the last.
"The Shape I'm In," is a stirring song,
showing that those that have had hard luck and bad breaks can rise
above it, and not let themselves be "victims." Nathan's words give
Diego a face that the listener can see in their mind in "Wages," the
story of factory workers working long, hard hours with no breaks,
and how when of them finally dies, there's always another to take his
place. "Fiero's Run" paints a colorful and sweeping portrait of early
20th century Mexico, in this story of revolution mixed with revenge.
The truly stunning "Thing Of All Things" takes an abstract look at the
meaning of life, and asks what is it, that will mean anything in the
end.
On All For Love And Wages, Nathan
takes his songs from the dusty streets of small towns, and goes into
the houses to examine the lives and relationships that are lived
within them. He drew on his own experiences, and those of people he's
met. Not only has Nathan come heavily armed with outstanding songs,
he's backed by his stellar band, No Deal: Billy Brett Malkus on
guitar, Mike Stevenson on bass, and Rob Gaines on drums. The chemistry
between them is flawless. They can kick butt one minute, and the next,
be as subdued as a whisper. Judging by this album, Nathan Hamilton is
on track with previous winners of the Kerriville Award, and All
For Love And Wages is one of the strongest singer/songwriter
albums released this year.
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