In Memory of Loss

Nathaniel Rateliff | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Pgd
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B003BJO8HI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,277 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Once in a Great While

2. Early Spring Till

3. We Never Win

4. Brakeman

5. Longing and Losing

6. Oil & Lavender

7. Shroud

8. You Should've Seen the Other Guy

9. Whimper and Wail

10. Boil & Fight

11. When We Could

12. A Lamb on the Stone

13. When You're Here

14. Happy Just to Be

Editorial Reviews

The first things you notice are the voice and the space. That voice belongs to Nathaniel Rateliff, a man who's earned the twang and hard-knock weariness that shines through on his Rounder debut. The space comes courtesy of producer Brian Deck (Califone, Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse), who helped transform 8-track bedroom demos into miniature epics of contrast, beauty, and yearning. In Memory of Loss is a stunning, heartbreaking sonic document from a singer-songwriter who's made his way from a childhood in Bay, Missouri (pop. 60) to the national stage. Rateliff's debut album is rooted in a bygone era. It's both fresh and classic, imbued with a melancholy nostalgia, the rough candor of rock `n roll's past and the warmth and earnestness of folk storytellers. These thirteen tracks, with their soulful minimalism, hint of the music he grew up on - Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, The Beatles ­- yet Rateliff is also at home in what may be called, for lack of a better term, the neo-folk revival. His voice is so confident that you can occasionally imagine the music dropping out entirely, a song propelled solely by Rateliff's a capella strengths ­- equal parts church spiritual and TV On The Radio riffing on The Pixies. This persistent troubadour has struggled and persevered to this point. Now, the wider world is ready for Nathaniel Rateliff.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arrestingly Special, May 7, 2010

By 

James N. Perlman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Memory of Loss (Audio CD)

First, as a reference point, please read the Editorial Reviews, as this is spot on and I feel no need to be redundant. Like no other album in quite some time, from its first note, this album draws one in to it's winter by the fire atmosphere. This is not background music. It is music to sit back and fall into. Besides the influences mentioned in the editorial review, at times, I hear a bit of James Taylor's tone in Rateliff's vocals although his vocal register reaches lower. There's more than some Greg Brown as well, for those familiar with him. Also, while the sound is not as astonishing as the Trinity Sessions, the feel is much the same in many places. When he does rock out, I hear some M. Ward, Post War. Lovely, yet simple melodies abound. And, while there are more instruments at times, there's more than some Springsteen's Nebraska. Please, don't be misled by the numerous influences listed. Because, just like Springsteen, where the influences were just about every great rocker who preceded him, Rateliff possesses his own distinct voice and sensibility. This guy knows what he is doing! A great album by any standard.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet masterpiece, November 18, 2010

By 

Ian Williamson (Aberdeen Scotland United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Memory of Loss (Audio CD)

What a refreshing album, something a bit different, mainly a great voice and acoustic guitar but with additional harmonies. lovely, a great late night record.
I had never heard of this guy but bought the LP on a website recommendation because the guy is like Gregory Alan Isakov and yes there is a similarity and also like the excellent Sumner Brothers (but more tuneful)
A truely melodic and soleful record with great melodies and a nice variation to every track and lots of pathos .
To be very honest the title of the album "in memory of loss" gives you a feel of the mood of the record, all in all a truely great Americana record probably one of my favourites this year along with John Grant's "Queen of Denmark", Johnny Flynn's "Been Listening" and Perry Keyes "Johnny Ray's Downtown" so highly recommended then!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Musician, October 16, 2010

By 

Kelly Priebe - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Memory of Loss (Audio CD)

Nathaniel Rateliff has a wonderful voice and is an amazing lyricist, this album is so heartfelt and emotional. He tells such vivid stories that you feel as if you are right there watching the scenes unfold. Unfortunately there are no samples of his songs on here, but check him out on youtube- Early Spring Till, You Should've Seen the Other Guy, and Oil & Lavender. I would venture to say that Nathaniel Rateliff is going to be huge within the next few years, he is an amazing talent who rates right up there with Ray Lamontagne or Bon Iver. Beautiful album.