Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
  • Record Label: Fantasy
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2015
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Aug 28, 2015
    90
    Whichever level you enjoy it on, this folkie’s volte-face is less ‘Judas’, more ‘genius’.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Aug 20, 2015
    81
    While the singer and his band are drawing on a classic form, their interpretation makes for an exciting and contemporary sound.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Aug 25, 2015
    80
    Rateliff has managed to succeed in breathing life into the classic soul sound by opening himself up and remembering that it is possible to dance your blues away.
  5. Q Magazine
    Aug 25, 2015
    80
    As an album, it's something of a revelation; the stunning sound of an artist being born again. [Oct 2015, p.113]
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  6. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 20, 2015
    80
    A varied arsenal of approaches, but barely a mis-step.
  7. Uncut
    Aug 27, 2015
    70
    Their debut to Sam & Dave is plain, but there;s as much Alabama Shakes and a pre-stadia Kings Of Leon too. [Oct 2015, p.81]
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  8. AllMusic
    Aug 20, 2015
    70
    Rateliff's world-weary, deeply expressive tenor and lyrics place him on a different level than any of the current crew of revivalists.
  9. Consequence
    Aug 20, 2015
    67
    He’s a passionate performer with a gift for singing and winning over an audience, and that comes through on this record.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Sep 10, 2015
    60
    Rateliff hasn't completely forgotten his folkie past: The wistful "Wasting Time" shows that he can still kill you softly.
  11. American Songwriter
    Sep 2, 2015
    60
    Even though a handful of tunes seem forced, for the most part, Rateliff’s material and the brassy, bossy attack work well enough together to suggest this was a savvy career move, both artistically and commercially. Next time, if the songs mesh better with the arrangements, he might have a classic on his hands.
  12. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 24, 2015
    60
    If his fourth album doesn’t quite live up to that pedigree, its rootsy take on soul--swigging deep from the spirit of Van Morrison and the E Street Band and ending up in a warm O-Dexys-Where-Art-Thou fug--is rambunctiously satisfying.
  13. The Guardian
    Aug 20, 2015
    60
    Aside from Snake, which brings to mind Paolo Nutini slumped at the back of a strip club, the album is full of the ghosts of songwriting greats like Otis Redding, Chuck Berry and Van Morrison, and sounds like it should establish Rateliff as the breakneck bar brawler of the new soul movement.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. WadeGwynn
    Jul 5, 2016
    9
    A great album! There are a couple hits that will stick out right away, but the album holds up will to repeated listens. Lots of groove, aA great album! There are a couple hits that will stick out right away, but the album holds up will to repeated listens. Lots of groove, a great soul voice, good songwriting and nice musicianship. I haven't seen this band live but the album has the feel it was made by a great live band.… Full Review »
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