Central Station
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The Memphis singer-songwriter Chris Nurthen, i.e. SweetNur, brings us a brief listen of songs about adulthood, marriage and family, and his universally embraceable version of roots rock sure does strike a chord immediately.
“Misunderstood” opens the listen with thick guitar, upbeat keys and frisky drumming, as smooth vocals enter the fluid roots rock, and “Bay Dale” follows with a summery country rock approach that’s got plenty of breezy melody present and appreciated.
On the back half, the moody strings and soothing vocal harmonies from Traci De Leon on “This Little House” make this one of the best, while “John Denver” brings De Leon back for the agile acoustic guitar focused exit that builds into a lush, soaring display of glorious Americana that illustrates much skill.
Although he’s been writing songs for a long time now, joining the Naval Academy and starting a family kept his creative side a bit dormant. His commitment to the navy ended in 2020, and now SweetNur’s focused on writing music that we can all enjoy and relate to, as evidenced by this superb EP.
Travels well with: Eden James- All The Good Blank Are Taken; Chuck McDermott- 38 Degrees And Raining