User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Tearing at the Seams Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Denver-based band was produced by Richard Swift.
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 85
    With Tearing at the Seams, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have distillated the ups and downs life throws at you into a vibrant collection of many-hued vignettes; some make you smile, some make you well up, and some make for the ideal accompaniment to good ol’ sauced-up revelry. Whatever the case, they’ll all make you feel that thing inside you. Soul.
  2. Mojo
    Mar 2, 2018
    80
    The Night Sweats' woozy, loose grooves are hypnotising and are perfect accompaniment to Rateliff's gravel-worn rasp. [Apr 2018, p.94]
  3. Mar 2, 2018
    80
    It’s a real coming of age for them as their songs, emerging from woodshedding sessions with producer Richard Swift in a studio in Rodeo, New Mexico, are spontaneous, immediate and really hit home.
  4. Mar 9, 2018
    80
    On Tearing at the Seams, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats show off their hard work, their tightening as a band, and their high energy, irresistible performances.
  5. Mar 9, 2018
    75
    The Night Sweats are at their best when the music reflects Rateliff’s own distinctive take on a musical style that has saved him, in more ways than one, from a less fortunate life. Tearing at the Seams doesn’t always reach those heights, but the music is exhilarating when it does.
  6. Mar 19, 2018
    70
    Sure there are obvious bands they can be liked to--The Band, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding--but its pace and passion make it a record to enjoy for itself, rather than its influences.
  7. Mar 8, 2018
    60
    Rateliff can be guilty of overwriting, as in the jumble of raging-wildfire images that drag down "Still Out There Running." His husky voice can lack the suppleness of classic soul singers; when he taps into his inner Sam Cooke on the dusky "Babe I Know," he sounds more fatigued than uplifted. Yet even when he overshoots, Rateliff's restless throwback sound feels like it's moving toward real revelations.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Feb 14, 2020
    10
    Righteous soul at its absolute finest... with a twist of Rock for good measure
  2. Dec 1, 2018
    10
    This album is awesome. Like Sam & Dave made music with The Band. He's definitely leaving it all out there and we can all benefit!
  3. Mar 15, 2018
    9
    He's found his groove, what a great follow up to The Night Sweats debut album. The soul and songwriting shine through again. This album mightHe's found his groove, what a great follow up to The Night Sweats debut album. The soul and songwriting shine through again. This album might have a couple less high points than the first but does not bore with filler. Killer tracks right through. Go see him live, its a great show! Expand