The Nation Blue
Rising Waters
16 Track, LP (2009, Casadeldisco)
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From the two-note plod of the opening title track to its discordant coda, Rising Waters is The Nation Blue at their most visceral and intense. Turning their acidic rage inwards and finding inspiration in their own failings as human beings, the Melbourne trio have penned their most violent collection of tunes yet.
This catalogue of personal faults was laid down in no-nonsense fashion with Matt Voigt (who helmed the group’s previous album Protest Songs), and he doesn’t allow fancy studio techniques to get in the way of raw power. Guitars ring and buzz, creating an unholy scree that’s only just held in check by the unhinged rhythm section. Trading perfection for passion, Tom Lyngcoln’s vocals are uneven as ever, forming the album’s emotional core. Aided in times of need by his bandmates, Lyngcoln brings these songs a frailty that belies their tough-shelled exteriors.
Even in the album’s quieter moments – the minimalist verses of ‘Trespass’, the slow crawl of ‘Lovers Darkness’ – there’s no escaping its menace, as the group pick away at their own scabs and scars to reveal the blackened blood beneath. This is the darkest The Nation Blue have ever sounded – and that’s saying something, given the tone of their near-decade lifespan.
All of this isn’t to suggest, however, that Rising Waters is a mess of dissonance accessible to only the most ardent of noise-rock devotees. There are melodies aplenty to be found here: some obvious (‘Uprisings Off’), some more hidden (‘If Not For the Good Things I’ve Done’). Having said that, Rising Waters is, at the best of times, an uneasy listen. Its scorched-earth sonics and confronting lyrical honesty make a challenging combination. They’re also the greatest strengths of an album that will, in all likelihood, go down as The Nation Blue’s best.
by Adam D Mills
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great great great record.
Looking forward to the tour.
Oh, this review has me excited to hear it.
I loved damnnation, thought protest songs was ordinary at best, the melodies on it were embarassing. hope the newby is better, the sort of band that are awesome at their best but terrible at thier worst.
this record fucking rules
need to get this record...
awesome youtube ad for the melbourne launch