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Album Review

Nat Johnson and the Figureheads
Roman Radio Damaged Goods

Article written by Matt H - Oct 19, 2009

Nat Johnson - The Roman knows

Having dissolved Monkey Swallows the Universe a while back, Nat Johnson returns with a less awkwardly named band. Guitarist Kev Gori is still there, but the strings are all but gone in favour of a more traditional rock band set up. That finds its way into the sound, but many of the songs are not a radical departure from MSTU’s more upbeat moments. Nat has kept her way with a thoughtful acoustic pop tune, seasoned with just that hint of sadness or bitterness that lift them above the familiar singer/songwriter masses. Truth Song and Dirty Rotten Soul especially have a fine countrified swagger.

This album would be worth it just for revisiting that songwriting and Nat’s lovely voice. But there’s some more interesting departures. Where MSTU created string backing for the more downbeat songs, the soft horns and slide guitar that augment Envy and January cement the difference between these songs and standard play list fodder. Even more notable are the fuzzed guitar slinging of This Tide Will Turn , the gently circling, softly muted beauty of Careful , and fabulous closer All of This which starts at a gentle martial rhythm, adding layers of viola, atmospheric fuzz and feedback too finish in a climax of firework sound - a suitable celebration of a collection of songs underlining a talent successfully moving onwards and, hopefully, upwards.

Links:
http://www.natjohnson.co.uk/
http://damagedgoods.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/natjohnsonband