Album Review: The Raging Nathans “Still Spitting Blood”
Release: Still Spitting Blood
Band: The Raging Nathans
Label: Rad Girlfriend Records
Score: 8/10
review by Ricky Frankel
ricky@rickyfrankel.com
If you have been paying any sort of attention to the punk scene, then you at least know the name The Raging Nathans. They’re one of the hardest working bands out there right now. Just in the last two years, the group has released a stunning six 7-inches, one split EP, one compilation, two full-lengths (they have a total of five), and it seems like they are constantly on tour. Amazingly, the Nathans have now released their third LP since the beginning of the decade titled, ‘Still Spitting Blood.’
A solid amount of the songs on ‘Still Spitting Blood’ are a strong continuation of the type of the tunes you heard on 2020’s ‘Oppositional Defiance’ and 2021’s ‘Waste My Heart,’ both of which are great albums. Tracks like “Head In A Hole“ and “Doubt“ really show that they have mastered their sound. “Head In A Hole” has the Nathan’s classic aggressive guitar chord progressions mixed with their three-part vocal harmonies. It’s straight to the point, no BS, in-your-face, snotty pop-punk. “Doubt” shows off band’s poppy-er side. The vocals are a bit more reigned-in, the “shiny” guitar leads are full of bends and they sort of chug along to the vocals, and the drums are just relentlessly tight.
I really have to stress the fact that ‘Still Spitting Blood’ is not just “part two” of either of those prior albums though. The Raging Nathans did some fantastic experimentation this round and pushed themselves to write what are arguably some of their best songs in their entire catalogue. “Fucked Olympia” has some of Josh Goldman’s best lead singing, along with some of the band’s most impressive backing vocals to date. The tune also includes this awesome solo where both guitars play dueling harmonies. It’s a very welcomed surprise upon first listen. The title track is where The Raging Nathans jack up the speed of the tempo and veer off into the melodic hardcore subgenre. It’s filled with confrontational gang vocals and harmonies along with multiple, impressive guitar solos. I think the best way to describe “Still Spitting Blood” is: What would happen if you infused Bad Religion’s contemporary style with The Raging Nathans’ sound? And finally, “Nothing I Can Do,” which is one of the catchiest songs on the album, also has the band pushing their vocal limits (and succeeding). It is a “next level” Raging Nathans song.
‘Still Spitting Blood’ is a great Raging Nathans album. Fans will be definitely be comforted that the band continues to stay true to their sonic roots on certain parts of the record, but they’ll also be fascinated with where the band seems to be heading. From my view, I think that they should continue to push themselves in this experimental direction. It paid off on this album quite a bit, and I think it will pay off even more on their next album. They certainly have the drive to make it happen.
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About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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