Nathan Gray And The Irons Roses – Rebel Songs

Rebel Songs is Nathan Gray’s third solo outing to date, the last being Working Title which brought us close to his state of mind and how he deals with the world around him on a day to day basis, this latest album is defiantly showing that world how being a rebel and having political (or anti political) things to say is just as important, to find time to speak out against the wrongs that happen all around us every day, is a way to show solidarity with the people around you.

This time around Nathan has the usual guest appearances that have dotted his other recordings, but he has now a full band sitting right there at his side, a band that is made up of a true reflection of humanity from every corner of life.

What stands out with the album is how the melody has been balanced perfectly with the angst, as his own promo points out you definitely get a sense of The Clash at the core of the songs, yet Nathan has is very own smoothed of edges way of putting across the same feelings.  ‘The Reckoning’ sets the snowball running down the mountain side, with an obvious anthem and call to arms for the Anti Facist’s and well any cause worth fighting.

This theme never lets up right through this well thought out and much needed shout out the communities that have suffered more than they should, title track ‘Rebel Songs’ which feature Rise Against’s Tim McIIrath says it with a direct simplicity, there should be no misunderstanding here!

It would be so easy to dismiss this album as just another punk album that sings of revolution, yes it does, it spends a while lots of time “rising up”, yet it has taken a musical route that has you feeling empowered and energised to the point that the need to “stand up and be counted” is not dismissed as a little repetative, it’s actually refreshing to listen to.  There are moments in here of Rap/Grime ‘Radio Silence’ and ‘Look Alive’ feat Eugenius cover this, then ‘No Pasarán’ throws a curve ball, a term used during the Spanish Civil war that has become the calling card of resistance, Nathan has taken this and added a pop punk slant to it.  ‘Lost’ on the other hand has an almost Dub quality to it’s opening, a song that doesn’t rebel against the world, rather it rebels at the sense of loss that comes with mental health issues. ‘That Said’ finishes the album with a melancholy that belies where age takes you, a self assessing that comes when the years have flowed by and you now get time to reflect on them.

In short, don’t right this album off from the start, yes there are maybe a few too many “rise up’s” and possibly plenty of “stand up and be counted’s” but it is called ‘Rebel Songs’ what would you expect.  Plenty a change evoking, fast furious, thoughtfully delivered Punk Rock!!

Find yourself a copy of this album at Nathan’s BANDCAMP

Connect with all things Nathan Gray at his WEBSITE