Nathan
Stranger
© 2001 Socan 2001 (777215102224)
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Lugubrious guitar melodies and accordion crashes waltz to this compelling and distinctive alt-folk-country-pop debut that sings sweet tales of early graves and blood stained hands.
tracks
- 1 Measure Me
- 2 Glorious Exhaust
- 3 Stranger
- 4 Meritte
- 5 Swingin'
- 6 Gertie
- 7 Malana
- 8 Pick Me Up Suzie
- 9 Take These Things
- 10 Ballyhoo
- 11 Ridiculous
- 12 Australia
- 13 Lampshade
- 14 Grassy Lake
- 15 Blue
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Mote Magazine - Edmonton, Alberta
Keri McTighe and Shelley Bilewitch have the most bewitching vocal styles. High and some kind of old '30s country, but with a pop cadence, some circus melodies, and the pretty-beyond-sweetness of a Bjork. It's hard to find the highest point in a CD of highlights. Even when they slow it down to a Cat Power-shuffle ("Meritte") on a song that ends with "like a fairy tale cut short like a young girl's grave" Nathan is completely compelling. Imagine Julie Doiron and the Carter Family jamming with gypsy band Taraf de Haidouks. That isn't quite it. You'd have to add some Geoff Berner, Freakwater, and John Southworth to get closer to approximating their sound. Despite the vocals being so high and dreamlike, the rest of the band isn't lost in a washy pop sound. Th drums are crisp and the accordion doesn't compete with the piano for attention. The music is dense but not cluttered, and sometimes breathtakingly appropriate. It has the sound of a veteran band, not the independently produced debut by a young Winnipeg five-some. I thought my excitement would wane, that their uniqueness would wither, but the more I listen to this CD the broader the pleasure. That first line of "Ballyhoo" surprised me every time. "Glorious Exhaust" is divine. This should be on many top 10 lists for the year. 5/5 - Gabino Travossos, December 2001.
Uptown Magazine - Winnipeg, Manitoba
The debut CD from Winnipeg's Nathan is a lovingly crafted musical delight. "Stranger" immediately pulls the listener in with the gently oom-pah-pah of the first track, "Measure Me," and weaves a hypnotic spell from there on in with it's loping and laid-back folky/country pop. Intriguing twists of wispy girl vocals and sweet harmonies contrast with sometimes startlingly harsh lyrics nuanced with violence, longing and discovery. These, coupled with excellent musicianship and interesting instrumentation (accordion is an important player and there's even a bit of tuba for good measure) elevate Stranger well above the ranks of debut CD's, showing a maturity that one wishes most bands would achieve before releasing a disc. There are beautiful songs and moving stories that deserve to be heard, and with one listen you'll be bewitched. 4/5 - Barb Stewart, September 2001.
reviews
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it's great
author: gary walkernathan continues their great lyrics and music on this cd
just as good as last two by nathern
author: ray deveyi had already got the last two cd by nathan so first one was a must and its great stuff
liked it
author: babyloved it its hot
Beautiful
author: LeaIve never really found anything appealing about the accordion, but the way shelley has mastered it, completing the indie eery almost gypsy sound that is not comparible to any group i have heard before. The song writing abilities of these girls are extremly original, heading their songs in directions that give goosebumps. "Stranger" is genius setting footsteps into a growth that becomes "Jimson Weed". you can almsot hear the morphing into almost original perfection. And c'mon who can play that theremin the way Keri does.
loved it
author: stewartloved it
quirky? folky? poppy? country? whatever! it's fantastic
author: Dave UKAll of that and more. More reference points squeezed in than you can count. Yes, there's oom pah, indie pop, quiet folk, alt country, reggae and on and on. Fact is if you sing like these you can do anything. Buy it, listen to these gorgeous voices. Then buy Jimson Weed and hear them grow. Guess what, they're getting even better!
- author: Jeremy
I’ve listened to Stranger frequently in the last week & find Nathan’s melodies, poetic use of the English language, akin to a prismatic treasure chest that blossoms into Technicolor daydreams of sweet delight when opened~ Being a semi tattooed, yet dashing young professional here in Cambridge/Boston Massachusetts, I’ve been personally saddened by the fact that our obscenely talented counterparts in greater Canada don’t get the artistic recognition that is rightly deserved here~ Perhaps, like a neo-archeologist unearthing omnipresent jewels that sing the praises of Nathan in a harmonic symphony-will blossom into the warm & welcoming hearts of All-like they have mine~ Jeremy~
nathan is the best band i've heard this year!
author: lucas & daninathan is a wonderful band. every person i've lent stranger and jimson weed too have fell in love! they have an addictive sound that keeps the cd in the player for along time! i sure hope they make it to ohio sometime!
Their 2nd CD is really good , too
author: Mark in Aurora, COI heard a song from the new Nathan CD on Denver AM radio station 1510 on a Saturday while doing some errands and was just floored by them. I bought the new CD which was so good that I had to get this one too. Both of Nathan's CDs are excellent. Kind of a mix of bluegrass, pop, and country with just a hint of Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and even Cass Elliot, only sweeter and more delicate while at the same time intense. These are not CDs that have only 1 or 2 good songs. No, these CDs have nothing but good songs. The vocals alone will send you to heaven.
Querky and Addictive!
author: KelliThey've got this "I can't quite explain" sound that literally stays in your head. Kinda querky and additive if you know what I mean. (this is a compliment by the way) Keep up the great work - I love your sound. Keep touring and you'll find others quickly jumping on your fan wagon.
Mesmerising , Fantastic, Refreshing
author: DaveJust saw them in (along with about 9,000 others) in Chilliwack opening for Leahy and Jann Arden . WOW , I am hooked on their sound, what fantastic Canadian Talent we saw tonight. Keep up the good work and refreshing sound. Come back to the west coast...soon.
fantastic, want more
author: Suegreat music, fantastic lyrics, we listen to the cd all the time, can't get enough of it.
Addictive listening.
author: KerrySomeone help me... can't... stop... listening... A beautiful CD of infectious melodies, lovely instrumentation, and wonderful, quirky voices. Addictive, in the best sense of the word. Can't wait for the new one.
Awesome
author: Tim and NatalieSaw them at the icelandic festival in 03 and the were great live, so when we heard that they had cd's for sale we grabbed one right away. Its always in our car and is probably one of the most perfect cd's Ive heard in a while.
Great! Playing it for my friends! Folk Festival - AWESOME!!
author: CaroleI love your music and your voices. I listen to it all the time - thank you!!
A must have CD. It is good for the ears and the soul.
author: Paul Heglund {Intruder}band: Nathan Album: Stranger: If you hear it unexpectedly, the sound catches your ear. Your audio processors say "hey man wake up and pay attention there is a delightful sound"! Catchy, hooky folk. The lyrics are curious and require one to listen carefully to get as much meaning as possible. No fluff zone, for the most part. When choosing a favorite from the CD, I start with a list of about 14 songs which i eventually pare down to 12. I've seen the band live and they can reproduce their songs perfectly, including some requiring unusual percussion devices. Buy it and listen and enjoy and enjoy and enjoy.