"Where are you going with that cocaine in your hand?"
Three years without a peep. No Instagram posts, some tweets, and no rumblings on the internet. I’m sure if you live in Nashville you’d see the boys of Nature Child running around the streets wreaking havoc on the bar scene, smashing bottles and rolling up with anyone in a fine cowboy hat and a tuned ear to down home rock and roll music. But if you haven’t been in the state of Tennessee in the last five or so years your information might be a little scarce.
Friday the 24th of January marked the first post from the band that most cult followers would call their favorite rock/country gig. The self-titled album, Natural Child, was dropped on Spotify after the band made social media posts announcing its presence. The Natural Child Twitter page left us a ‘to the point’ sentence devoid of ambiguity. “New album out today,” let the band’s fans know exactly what to look for on their Friday morning hunt for happiness.
On the other hand, a simple Instagram post, no caption necessary, showed the new album’s artwork featuring a neon sign reading “California Hotel.” Some quick research and a check in the comments section provides information that this is not the title of the new album, but merely the name of its first track.
For seasoned Natural Child fans, the opening track neither confused or shocked as true Natural Child style was displayed with a similar but new sound and the addition of some new players to the mix. The ominous “California Hotel” begins with a slew of instruments gearing up for a change that never comes. We get horns right off the bat crooning you into an excited smile as the bass line builds up the anticipation with its smooth repetition that opens the question of “when’s the other shoe going to drop?” Four minutes flat of ambient, enjoyable noise puts the listener in the mood for what’s to come.
A quick transition into song two would have been the expected choice, but these boys are here to throw some curve balls and differentiate themselves from their patent pending style of rock and roll without really diverting from it in the first place.
‘Farm’ is the first track where we get the first lyrics and settle down into some familiar styling. After four or so listens this album has grown more and more on me. No new music from the boys for some time can make that new release just a little tight, but once the muscles are stretched, you’ll learn to get back into the groove.
The members of Natural Child seem to have taken their three-year hiatus and done some thinking about life. Packed with lines about growing up and getting older, Natural Child plays as a comeback album that wants to get its message out, only in the smallest of forms. Whether this album was produced by the whole band or was played by just one member, we don’t know. That doesn’t stop it from being a great little surprise to all those that love this type of music.
‘Good Honest Hard Work’ rolls itself into ‘Time is Money’ and both play upon the grown-up aspect of the albums theme. Working hard is something to be proud of and even if we dread it a little bit its going to be something we have to do. Time really is money. Don’t waste it throwing your life away, don’t keep it too long either. Break out and spend all the life you got.
“You’re getting too old to keep learning your lessons.”
Although life is ramping up the boys do know how to still have fun and turn a joke. The mid-section of this album brings a one, two, three punch. A curve ball, a change-up, and a high cheese. That’s three and you’re out.
‘Dan Man’ is a smooth jam meant to strike you, entice you, and catch ya looking. One of my favorites so far and a classic feel from the Nashville boys. What should the world do? I’m not gonna tell you, you gotta find out for yourself.
‘(Might as Well) Put the Pin On’ highlights and says a lot about the band. These guys are having fun and they want it to show. Their playful nature slides right into ‘Disco Daddy,’ a fun filled track reminiscent of my personal favorite Natural Child song ‘Crack Mountain.’ A song about drugs and messing around. What more could you ask for? The answer is a live duo with ‘Crack Mountain’ that’s what.
The last four songs interest me as a fan and a music lover. Do you put all the upbeat songs of the album at the top or lay them out strategically? Historically the ends of any Natural Child album ramps down with some slower tunes and almost always ends with an acoustic track made for some good ole sing alongs.
I’m happy about the tail end and it brings me back. The theme of the album is tied together well and makes you think about what these boys are trying to say. Is this an apology or is it some left over guilt of growing up? Everyone can relate to something going wrong in their life and having nothing to do about it. Natural Child is coming to some realizations and I’m feeling it. Growing up is hard to do, but if you have your pals it’s a hell of a lot easier.
A random album from one of my favorite bands gave me the best Friday surprise I could think of. Thank you to whoever made this group of songs and no matter the reason for it, its wonderful. I hope to see the boys in Natural Child out on the road again, or at least giving us some more music here and there to enjoy.
Stop what you’re doing, hit that Spotify link, and cool it with the boys. Thank you, thank you.
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