Nothington

In The End

Written by: PP on 26/04/2017 23:09:54

If you're a punk fan, you most likely subscribe to the ideology that bands are at their best when they don't change all that much from album to album, aside from few cosmetic changes or a very gradual stylistic evolution from the one before. Nothington fits that mold perfectly where "In The End" is their fifth album (and first one in five years) that continues largely unchanged from its predecessors, yet it is their best release since the sophomore album "Roads, Bridges And Ruins" in 2009. Big sing-alongs are encapsulated in a classic Midwestern style, roared beard/gruff punk melodies and charismatically gravelly vocals that pay tribute to the likes of Hot Water Music, essentially describing "In The End" in a nutshell.

It's all there for fans of bands Red City Radio, Leatherface, Make Do And Mend, et al. Laid-back atmosphere, intimate, honesty-driven songs that are at their best in basement style venues with a few dozen people singing their hearts out to songs like "Cobblestones" or "The Lies I Need". The former in particular is among the best songs Nothington has written to date with its easily sing alongable lyrics: "I'm trying to accept, I'm no stranger to regrets, trying to relive all the nights I don't remember, that we spent, walking on cobblestones, now I spend all my time alone. Understand! I'm so tired (tired), ooooh-ooohh-oooh (tired)". Notice the classic ooh-ooh-ooh bits in there designed to give the song that added melody to counterbalance the roars and gravelly vocals. And although the songs are melody-driven, they are nicely rough-around-the-edges production wise to allow flair and charisma, again coming back to the down-to-earth vibes and honesty-driven songwriting.

And alas, Nothington spend a good eleven songs roaring and wailing Midwestern punk songs we've all heard before that still sound satisfying enough even after listening to countless other bands deliver essentially an identical expression. The only thing distinguishing the songs from each other are the occasional vocal duels where the gruffer vocalist allows the other one to take over, but to be honest, there isn't that big of a difference between the two: we're still knee-deep in Midwestern punk of the best sing along kind. High-octane, melodic, rough, and solid melodies throughout, despite falling short from being the best Nothington record.

7

Download: Cobblestones, The Lies I Need, End Transmission
For the fans of: Red City Radio, Hot Water Music, Leatherface, Make Do And Mend
Listen: Facebook

Release date 17.02.2017
Red Scare Industries

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