Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Nothington - Roads, Bridges, & Ruins

So here we are again with Nothington. Jay Northington, ex-Tsunami Bomb, leads his new band through a new album, and let me tell you right now, it’s a winner. If you liked All In, you should already have this album and have played it many, many times. And if you didn’t like All In, don’t fret; there’s a lot here that’s improved from its already excellent predecessor.

There’s no sophomore slump here; the band rips it up, and steps up the game from All In in an immediately noticeable way. Clocking in at 33 minutes, the band uses every second of that running time to its benefit, making these 10 songs all distinct, yet cohesive, and of course, catchy as all get out.

First of all, Jay’s voice is a bit smoother. It’s still his trademark grumble, but some of the edge has been worn down. Not a bad thing at all, really. The first song, “A Mistake,” explodes out of the gate, and is probably one of my favorite songs to come out this year. It’s catchy, musically aggressive, and just about anyone can relate to these lyrics. The songs that follow further showcase the band’s sense of melody, as shown on their previous album, but strengthened here; clearly, the band has honed their craft in the interim.

As much as I love Jay’s singing, especially on this album, it’s great when he switches off with Chris, especially on “Not Looking Down.” A really great, almost pop-punk song, the vocals ever so slightly resemble Billie Joe Armstrong at the end of a few lines. One might wish that Green Day was capable of music like this nowadays, but that’s a different review. (one word: sucks)

They slow it down on “Stop Screaming,” but that just allows for a more dramatic, tense song that’s very effective, and highlights the power of Jay’s voice. And then to snap you back to attention, they bust out “The Ocean,” which features some great back-and-forth vocals in the middle section. Chris jumps back on the lead vocals for “Meant to Lose,” one of the strongest songs on an all-over solid album. And finally, to close it out, they slow it down again for “Sleep Tight,” providing an optimistic message that should resonate with just about anyone.

This album is top 10 material for sure. It’s confident and powerful. And, of course, gets in your head and never leaves. I’ve been listening to this album non-stop since I got it, and I don’t think that will change for a while.

Tags: nothington