I'd like to start off this review by stating how much respect I have for Nate Allen. Just like G.G. Allin was committed to being the most sick and depraved human being he could possibly be, Allen is committed to prescribing to punk's D.I.Y. ethics and living his life by them. Using any means possible to tour and recording his songs after his job bagging groceries, Allen, singing under the appropriate moniker Destroy Nate Allen, has created Awake O'Sleeper, his debut full-length. Not only is the album available for free, Allen has also decided to quit his job in March so he can go on a 120 show national tour. It's impossible to deny Allen's love and dedication to his music and his sacrifices to share it with others, and it doesn't hurt that his album is pretty decent as well.
Awake O'Sleeper is a folk album at its core, taking influences from the likes of Bright Eyes and adding a bit of punk and country into the mix to create a solo effort comparable to early Against Me! Allen's primary instrument is the - you guessed it - acoustic guitar, although tambourines, bass, and piano are also used sparingly in a few of the songs. Awake O'Sleeper features Allen playing both uplifting folk songs blooming forth with hope and excitement, as well as slower, dreary ballads of desperation. As I stated above, Destroy Nate Allen seems to be an appropriate name for the man to go by.
Unlike many other folk punk artists like Tom Frampton and This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, who are fully dedicated to their politics, or Against Me!, who were dedicated to their politics until they got enough attention and decided everything they stood for was bullshit, Nate Allen has decided to leave politics behind, and rather focuses his songs about the basics of life and those who live it. Singing about his doubts about the existence of God in "Last Call" or being tired and worn out in "Despite it All," to singing about ditching his lament for joy in "Anchors Away," Allen seems to be content with his songs. While his lyrics can be a bit simplistic at times, I think it's safe to say that Awake O'Sleeper isn't meant to be the most intricate album ever made, nor should it be.
I wish Allen the best of luck on his upcoming national tour, and I do so with all the respect in the world for him. Allen plays a simple and ordinary form of folk music, ditching the politics and settling for an acoustic guitar and songs of the everyday man. If Destroy Nate Allen truly is on a path of self-destruction, so be it. At least he is doing it on his terms.
