Reviews

Nathan Xander is another fine addition to the Deep Elm roster. It’s a shame that Deep Elm doesn’t seem to hold the same place it once did in the indie/punk/emo world, but if you have a minute, you should really check out what they’re up to these days. Anyway, back to Xander’s release, The Fear. This is Americana at its best; a lot of acoustic guitars, soft drums (most of the time), and the occasional harmonica…which inevitably leads us to the person Xander most evokes on The Fear: Ryan Adams. Now, this can be both a strength and a drawback. One thing Xander does not do that can irk Adams’ fans is he doesn’t attempt to use his falsetto. By avoiding this vocal trick, Xander makes himself stand out a bit more from his most obvious comparison. For a great example of what I’m talking about, check out “Emerald Cities”.

The biggest bit of praise I have for this release is in the way Xander switches his voice around to fit the mood of the songs. The production also changes in order to create a more appropriate atmosphere. And while “John Wayne” is very reminiscent of Adams’ work, some tunes have a George Throughgood vibe to them, which is to say a bit more swagger and cockiness; this combination of vulnerability and vice make for a nice contrast and one that serves Xander’s lyrical musings well. And the lyrics here are worth mentioning; Xander enjoys archaic terminology and metaphor, which do well against his sparse music. There are images of horseback riding, headin’ south, and “roses and bullets as currency”, all of which are situated against excellently crafted music.

Looking for a new alt-indie-country record? Well, this one will serve you well. The lyrics and production are what really drive this genre, and Nathan Xander has done well with both. The Fear is a pretty great record and one any fan of the genre should check out.