“OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE” IS THE THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM FROM THE RAGING NATHANS. RECORDED BY MATT YONKER, (LESS THAN JAKE, TEEN IDOLS) THIS RECORD MARKS A DISTINCT MILESTONE IN SONGWRITING FOR THE BAND, BOTH IN TERMS OF LYRICS, SUBJECT MATTER AND MUSIC. WITH THIS BEING THEIR FIRST ALBUM AS A FOUR PIECE, THE RAGING NATHANS STAY TRUE TO FORM IN TERMS OF THE FAST-PACED MELODIC STYLE THAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR, YET “OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE” BRANCHES OUT INTO NEW TERRITORY FOR THE BAND. THE DRUMMING IS TIGHTER; THERE ARE MORE GUITAR DRIVEN SONGS, TONE-SETTING LEADS, SOLOS AND EMOTIVE VOCAL HARMONIES. THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT BEGIN TO SHOW THE LEVEL OF GROWTH THAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED SINCE THEIR LAST RECORD, “CHEAP FAME”. THE NATHANS HAVE ALWAYS PAID TRIBUTE TO THEIR PREDECESSORS AND HEROES OF THEIR PAST BUT CARVING THEIR OWN PATH REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE BANDS CORE MISSION”

The new release opens with a package of news clips from the tragic shooting in the band’s hometown of Dayton Ohio, last year. Set to a guitar track, it offers a poignant tribute and affective intro to the first song proper ‘One Day Closer’. This song is brief but has the obvious makings of a future set opener with it’s ballsy pace that grabs you by the proverbial.

‘Where Ya Been’ showcases a sound that seems to be somewhere between ‘Dude Ranch’ Blink 182 and early 90s Bad Religion, with next track ‘Don’t Miss the Train!’ being a letdown by comparison. Sounding like an “edgy” Sum41 b-side.
‘Parole Violation’ kicks in, showing a righteous hardcore slap in the face with big singalong choruses and accomplished guitar chops.  ‘Signals’ further shows a fantastic guitar sound, almost Bob Mould esque framing a song that, for me, is everything that is good about pop-punk.
The album follows on with this formula of highs and lows, for the most part, stand out track of the remainder being ‘Stargazing’. The verses are a little bit saccharine but features a really interesting poppy – new wave sound, which is a nice addition to the record.
In short, if you like all facets of pop-punk you should purchase this album. If it had been recorded in 1994 with Jerry Finn it would be regarded as a classic.
Pre Order the album Here
Author: Dan Kasm