http://www.thenowherenauts.com/
Allan Van Vliet
The NowhereNauts are one of my favorite new bands. As someone who can be, at times, excessively picky about his music, I like to think this says a lot about the alternative band from New York. Probably not. But the music speaks for itself. It’s raw, but not ugly; loud, but not intimidating; fun, but not crazy. The female lead and just-distorted guitar/bass dynamic remind me of The Ettes, but maybe just a bit less grungy.
The NowhereNauts’ self-titled debut album is well constructed and easy to listen to. I’ll be the first to admit that none of the songs is particularly noteworthy; none stands out. But it is equally true that none of the songs is weak. The album holds up all the way through. And, after three listens, I am quite sure that “all the way through” is the best way to take this album.
I’ll be keeping tabs on the NowhereNauts. I get the sense that they don’t particularly care about developing a following, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they find themselves one anyway. This is the kind of justice that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. The music can, in fact, triumph over the money. The NowhereNauts have a niche in the alternative music scene, and I’ll be listening intently as they settle into it and become participants in the everlasting redefinition of new music.
