The Raging Nathans are a unique band. They play '90s influenced punk that checks a ton of familiar boxes. It will appeal to fans of the old "EpiFat" sound, as it's been pejoratively called... but they seamlessly add a new element of emotion that's often carries blunt, harsh and personal emotional truths in their songs. Sometimes it's subtle, but usually it's not.
I would broadly categorize the band as being focused on the music and energy more than the mood -- this is not emo. But for a band of this style of music, they have a ton of songs that hit me in very personal ways. In the case of Room For One More, that connection has made this review difficult to write. It comes after fighting through personal loss in a way that seems to run parallel with the band's songwriters. Themes on this record explore loss, suffering, and relationship changes. Self-destruction, tested friendships, and a failure or inability to change are just a few of those topics, which are set to singalong, pop-structured tunes that are a bit angry in mood, but with that element of pained personal expression within. The album title seems to comes from the final song, "Edited For Time And Content," which questions the longevity of their own band -- but the biggest theme I hear on the album is spelled out directly in "Threats and Promises" in the refrain, "They say we hurt the ones we love."
Songs like "Looking Out For Me," "Nick at Nite," or "Threats and Promises" are as directly about relationship difficulties in a way that personally stings, which contrasts the mostly upbeat melodic flow and sonically pleasing harmonies. Sometimes the band lashes out, with quick blasts in "If I Want You To Hate Me," for example, or the frustrated reflections of "Threats and Promises."
Sometimes it's angry, sometimes it's almost fun, and most of the time it's reflective. You've probably spotted a pattern in all of these song titles I've shared.
The Raging Nathans provide a modern take on an established style of the punk canon. They have quite a few records at this point, but Room For One More definitely packs a personal punch.
