Review by Andy Hawes for MPM
Blue Nation are a new name to me. They are a Birmingham-based three –piece featuring Neil Murdoch on guitar/vocals, Luke Weston on bass and backing vocals and drummer Oli Jefferson.
The Ordinary People, Blue Nation’s 5th album, is a rather lovely throwback to the Alternative Post-Grunge sound of the early 2000s, but done in such a way that their own identity shines through and sounds totally contemporary for the 2020s. Their sound is characterised by concise, incisive songwriting and well thought out arrangements. The bass playing and drumming in particular having an inventiveness and swing which elevates these songs considerably.
Top that off with a guitarist who knows the value of supremely high-quality rhythm guitar playing and isn’t afraid to mix and match thunderous riffery with delightful chordal work and lead vocals that can move from a whisper to a scream with considerable aplomb and you have a very enjoyable body of work.
For anyone who enjoyed this kind of thing back in the day or who nowadays enjoys the more melodic side of bands such as Alterbridge and Black Stone Cherry, there are nods to classic bands such as Gin Blossoms and Lifehouse, but overall this is the sound of a band who know what they love and make it their own.
The band’s bio talks about how the writing process took three years to complete and how the lyrics resonate with joys, triumphs and struggles as the individuals involved have grown as both a band and as people. You can hear this in the music, as there is real emotive quality shining out through some of these tracks. The band state that they have poured their heart and soul into this, and it does come across.
Standout tracks will probably depend on your general listening tastes, but early winners for me after a number of plays are the very Lifehouse-sounding ‘Old Friends’ which, despite its laid-back pace and production just simmers with power and emotion and the quite brilliant ‘Time is A Thief’ which reminds me of prime-time Gin Blossoms with an absolutely killer chorus. Also up there in the ‘killer chorus’ department is the wonderful ‘Echoes’ which is another one that reminds me of the Gin Blossoms at their very best and which sees some utterly wonderful vocal harmonies popping up to add to the immensity of the hooklines.
Elsewhere, opener ‘Hand Me Down’ has the sort of riffery that wouldn’t be out of place on a Black Stone Cherry record and the title track also mixes big riffs with the band’s customary chordal work.
Overall, this album is a very entertaining body of work from a really great band. Do yourselves a favour and check out The Ordinary People. It is released on 13th September and is a fine example of homegrown British talent. Highly recommended!
Feature photo by Shane Finn
