From A Dark Corner
State Fair, 2023
10/10
The frontman for Otto Turks, this solo debut album from Nathan Mongol Wells explores his calmer approach, where plenty of esteemed help with the cautious, well thought out tracks goes a long way.
“Beulah Land” begins the listen with a darker appeal, where Chad Stockslager’s moody organ and Trey Pendergrass’ thumping drums complement Wells’ dense guitar and ominous singing, and “Juarez” follows with a frisky delivery of country shuffling ideas that welcomes Billy Law’s bouncy bass.
Halfway through, the aching pedal steel from Hank Early adds much intimacy to the poetic album highlight that is “Taken For A Ride”, while “Two Heads” places John Pedigo on lead guitar for the alt-country grit that’s quite melodic, too.
Close to the end, the dense “Road To Hell” is a bar room rocker that’s populated by Wells’ fluid rhythm guitar and Stockslager’s rowdy keys, and “First Day It’s Warm” exits with just Wells’ expressive pipes, guitar and bouzouki for the reflective, stirring tone.
A superb first album of his own, Wells uses folk, blues, punk and country ideas to birth his vulnerable versus animated formula that you can’t not enjoy repeatedly.
Travels well with: Clifffs- Panic Attack; Joey Frendo- Bound For Heartache