SuperXero - Nate Monoxide (2013) Album Review by CBerry
The same can be said for Nate's 5th album. A right combination of familiarity and experimentation set to a rock and roll soundtrack, easily makes Nate's newest album "SuperXero" one of my favourite albums of the year.
I find my working relationship with Nate pretty interesting to say the least because I was a fan long before we ever became close friends and colleagues. Upon release of this musical treat, I talked to Nate for a while discussing inspiration and production and all kinds of shit. He warned me that this album wasn't going to be as "polished" as his previous albums and to be honest, that made me want to hear it even more. A lot of my favourite albums have had an "unpolished" sound to them. Most memorable being Korns first 3 albums, early albums/releases by The Used, early Nirvana, anything by Rancid or NOFX and of course 90% of the Beatles tracks.
But what we seem to have here is a return to the root of it all, Punk Rock. I'm not going to get into each individual track, as that would just take too long. But I want to talk about most of the tracks, more specifically the ones that I find to be most prominent on the album and personal favourites.
We begin with the Intro! I must say I'm pretty happy that this cd begins with an intro. To me, any intro track makes for a more cinematic experience. And in this short, fast paced introduction to SuperXero we get a crazy taste of what is to come. On Nate's previous albums he never had an intro (except for the one I produced) and so I am pretty happy to hear an intro track on this album.
'STFU' is a really sweet pickup after the introduction because it's just a straight up good rock track. All of my favourite things about Nate Monoxide's music, all packed into one song. A catchy riff set to a fast paced beat with a mix of Rap and Rock for vocals. And not forgetting the almost contradictive lyrics of egotism and self doubt. This song to me is Nate telling us how he perceives himself in a certain light contrasted against how he sees himself in another and how he thinks others think of him. For instance, in the first verse you could almost say he's just bragging. But as soon as the chorus hits you see how he truly feels about his music. a healthy ego but staying humble at the same time. And the bridge coming in after chorus 2 basically stating to "lighten the fuck up" wins me over immediately. Nate, you had me at reckon.
"I think I need to learn to Shut The Fuck Up! I can't sing for shit and I can barely play guitar I'm victimizing people who I swear just don't deserve it. I'm a prick, I'm a prick, I'm a star"
'Damn That Ocean' is another really good track off this album. I've always said that Nate has a way of writing things that anybody can relate to. And this song is the proof for me. Its not hard to empathize with the lyrics of this song. Whether you have an ocean between the one you love or just distance, this song really defines the 'love song/tragedy' side of Nate. And also I think it's worth noting that this song is really (musically) outside of what I'm used to hearing from Nate. It's songs like these that make his claims of being a 1 trick pony (in the intro) to be completely false. Another thing about this song that I really like is there are a couple lyrics that can be interpreted in so many ways. For instance "damn that ocean in between, what we had potentially" could also be interpreted "dam that ocean in between what we had potentially". Overall it means similar things, but not quite the same. Very much open to interpretation. And isn't that what art is all about.
"Had I tried, I don't doubt. We'd be together today, she'd be in my embrace right now"
'The Backpack' is probably my number 1 favourite track off this album. Hard to say really, but this one is just perfect for me. Lyrically and melodically the vocals are soothing at times and contrasted against some creepy ass screams in the background. Not to mention that killer riff on the bridge. And just when you think the song is over he brings the bridge back for a couple more bars. If that song was a movie, the last bridge would be the credits. I really enjoy when artists do that on a track and Nate nailed it. and needless to say, I've dated a few girls that fit Nate's profile in this song. And also it's really easy to see in this song most of all, that Nate is a master story teller. Everything about this song makes me understand the lyrics better, every note, every crash. It's all just the soundtrack to this depressing tale.
"The walls close in, around her Claustrophobic, destructive patterns She's the architect of her own heartache Like a ghost, she flickers out and fades away"
'The Voodoo Man' needs to be in a Skateboarding video game. The minute I heard this track it brought me back to the early Tony Hawk soundtracks. Its a silly song, but not silly in any kind of negative way. When I first heard the "oogie-woogie boogie-woogie" I must admit I laughed. Because this song to me shows Nate is expanding his lyrical content, having fun with it. And this song really reminds me of something I would have been listening to when I first discovered punk. And I'm a really big fan of stories turned song so this song just gets me pumped.
" He said I'm tapped inside my mind, tapped inside my brain. Don't you dare go back out there they'll label you insane. So I stay on this island with the voodoo man, making my own voodoo dolls and kicking voodoo chants like this!"
"Integrity" has got to be the most direct song on the album. There's no beating around the bush here. It's just another chapter from Nate's story. It describes the frustration of being an artist vs the music business. and the obvious resentment at the load of shit the consumer is buying into these days. And I love that this song also has that ska/punk feel to it.
"But why fix what is not broken I need to believe that There's still someone out there With a shred of integrity"
"My Own God" is one of the more dark and twisted songs on the album. Which is my kind of shit! The piano introduction is just haunting. Nate has told me at times that he really enjoys my piano compositions... Fuck you Nate. That piano is the most perfect level of beautiful and disturbingly creepy that I have ever heard. And that's only 17 seconds into the song. Really powerful imagery in the lyrics "patterns emerge though they're unconnected I entangle them like spider webs" Sincerely morbid to say the least but intriguing. I like lyrics that make the imagination run wild. It would be easy to give an opinion of what he is talking about in the song, most obvious being him going through some form of crisis. But the lyrics nonetheless are pretty relatable so it just fills my head with stories. Also the chorus (in my own opinion) is like a battle with his own ego (or just how he perceives himself). Telling himself he is a God while at the same time acknowledging the fact that his "kingdom is crumbling down." All set to a 3/4 time signature which I haven't really heard (to my knowledge). And If I have it definitely wasn't as prominent or powerful as this track. "Thought I could be my own God and change Destiny maybe one day but not now, I am a God, my vision is pure But fleeting my kingdom is crumbling down"
"Staying Sick" is a personal favourite of mine (for obvious reasons). It's a cover of my 2012 track by the same name. Anyone familiar with my track will note that the verses are completely different yet the rhyme scheme is pretty much exactly the same. Nate did this as a way to make my lyrics suit his life, and I love it. The same message but through different words. And when I hear the chorus, I can't help but feel honoured that Nate Monoxide is singing my lyrics!! Also worth noting the music for the track is all original whereas the original was produced by the homie J1K. Definitely an ego boost and head banging pleasure to bump this track! "I'm staying sick, So all you motherfuckers hatin' gonna have to deal with it. I don't care if you feel it bitch, the realest shit just comes out my mouth when you hear me spit. Profound with my pro sound playing so loud, got the subwoofer shakin up the whole town. So I dont care if you feel it bitch. The illest shit comes out when you hear me spit"
"Rainy Days" begins with an oh so familiar guitar riff. As fallout boy is one of Nate's favourite bands and also clearly an inspiration to him it makes sense to have a guitar riff eerily reminiscent of "Sugar we're going down." I wouldn't call it copying for the main reason that the song has nothing to do with Fallout Boy's single. And the only part that sounds like that song is the intro riff. Almost like an homage. Lyrically the song is loaded with metaphors and emotions. It's basically just a poem about looking out at the rain, and all the memories the rain brings to you. Also worth noting is the "Strings n' Things" version at the end of the album, giving a side of Nate that we don't get to see too often. Almost reminds me of the vibe Blacklight had.
" The warmth from inside fogs the glass, obscuring my view And I obsess over patterns that I thought I knew I'm learning to discern between what is and isn't there The droplets I befriended have gone and I can't guess where"
"Someone that you know" immediately made me think of his original album 'Heard Not Scene' with a hint of Mindless Self Indulgence. The hook before the chorus on this song is what wins me over. Not to mention the really cool guitar licks during the bridge. But I think what makes this song extra special is that everybody has gone through friendships ending and this song puts that into words that I think are totally relatable. Also in the true Nate style, it has a depressing vibe until the chorus, which still (lyrically) is kinda depressing, but the vibe kind of makes it not so much. It's like coming to terms with the fact that he and the person will never get back the friendship they had, and he's ok with that (at this point).
"Alas, my friend, I feel I barely knew you A last, goodbye, I wish I'd seen right through you The thing about being friends is, it's just a friendship Easy come and easy go, apparently it's easier to end it"
"Keep Me Breathing" is definitely a song I could hear on the radio. Elements of punk pock and ska are definitely present. Also you can really hear Nates accent on this track, which is always a plus. I'm a big fan of the accent and also key changes? Monoxide can't be contained by any ordinary box my friends. I like the overall feel of this song, it really gives me a late 90s early 2000s kinda feel to it. Also, I know he hates the band HIM, but beatwise it kind of reminds me of them. Sorry Nate.
"I thought you'd keep me breathing, I just needed something to believe in I'm the pop-punk prince of catastrophe, you're just part of the tragedy"
"Neverfade" is a sequel song! When I spoke to Nate about his cd he had told me that this song was like a followup to his 2011 track 'If I die' and really has the same vibe lyrically but I think my favourite part is that musically it's very different from the original. There are obvious little Easter eggs in the song that give you a sense of familiarity with the original track but not enough to imply laziness on the artists behalf. It really reminds me also of how he did Blacklight/Ultraviolet on his last album, nearly identical in lyrics and harmony but really two completely different songs at the core. I enjoy that the verses and choruses are contrasted between an almost depressing melody (verses) and a more upbeat positive melody (for the chorus). For me it really keeps the song on an even keel.
"I sat and watched my vital fluids pour into a drain, unable to move The end seemed close and so serene I apologise for leaving early There's a chance that I'll die tonight and leave this world without saying goodbye You're damn right I plan to have a good time So let's make this one a goodnight"
No review is complete without a final, closing statement! This album kicks ass. The drum tracks alone on the album speak for themselves. To be quite honest, I sometimes find it hard to believe that Nate wrote all those drum track with how technical some of the songs are. Not to say that I don't think he could do it, but some of the tracks are insane, and well outside of the box. Another thing I loved about this album was his use of other instruments that haven't always been in his canvas. Piano isn't foreign to Nate Monoxide but he certainly uses it a lot more on this album which is good to hear. But the guitar! More is the word I would use to describe the guitar on this album. More variation, more solos, more experimentation. When asked what style this album is, I really don't know what to say. It's rock...but it's punk...but it's pop...but it's metal...sprinkled with hip-hop and ska.... So what do we call this? I don't know, but Nate really seemed to balance it out well with just enough of everything leaving me very hungry for the last album. The order of the tracks is always a big thing for me too, and this album is ordered perfectly, even squeezing in a couple previously released (and remastered) tracks such as My Space Whore and Poltergeist. Exceeding my expectations as always and raising them for the next time, Nate Monoxide's 'Superxero' is going to be in my playlist for a long fucking time, so if you don't have it, cop it. And if you don't download it, it's really your loss!
CBerry, 2013
Get it here! http://www.reverbnation.com/natemonoxide/album/33454-superxero
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