On album number four,
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
continue their relaxation into the mellower realms of Americana and soul, further blurring the border between the rowdiness of their early days and their leader's more introspective solo work. Listeners looking for raucous retreads of "S.O.B." and other barnburners may find its pulse a bit too relaxed, but
South of Here
has plenty to offer. It's not that the band's energy is diminished, it's just distributed differently. From the
Nilsson
-esque opener "David and Goliath" to
the Band
-inspired title track,
Rateliff
leads his crew through a panoply of '70s-touched roots rock, delivered with warmth, sincerity, and occasional bursts of grit. Even amid its themes of anxiety and overcoming trauma,
manages to stay buoyant, and at times playful. The gently shuffling "I Would Like to Heal" is a highlight, with its sun-warmed piano pop that leads into the album's energetic final sequence. The shouted guitar-and-brass rock of "Call Me (Whatever You Like)" and its anthemic closing partner "Times Makes Fools of Us All" are classic
Night Sweats
cuts that make full use of their broad sonic palette and group spirit. ~ Timothy Monger