Album Review: The Nation Blue - 'Rising Waters'

It’s pretty weird that these dudes released their first EP almost ten years ago now. It’s even weirder, given the nature of the Australian music scene, that after all this time they not only still manage to make music that punches you in the head and pisses in your mouth, but that you still love it. 
 
So now they’re back with release number five- Rising Waters, and a decade of slugging it out in pubs, on tour, and playing support slots that make the headliners look like total dickheads has only worked to strengthen the swirling fury that made their name all those years ago.  
 
After a short intro this album takes a little while to get the ball rolling, with “If Not For The Good Things I’ve Done” a little softer than I was expecting for an opener, leading into “I See Colours” which in my opinion is the weakest song on the CD. It was looking pretty bleak at this point, and I started to think “Oh god, I’m going to hate it, I’m going to hate it and write a bad review and the kids on KYS are going to leave me mean comments, my life is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!”.  

Nah fuckin’ kidding, you little twats will leave me mean comments regardless, but I did start to worry a bit because I really like these guys. 

It’s not until “Restless” jumps into the fight that I get any relief, after taking a while to build up it fires like a champ and while still holding onto those softer elements, churns and rolls at its summits and reminds me what I love so much about this band. “Uprisings Off” carries the torch next, and everything’s ok from here on. I know it’s a cheap thrill but the absolute highlight of the whole thing for me comes close to the end of the album with “I’m Inbred”. Out of absolutely nowhere they pull this ridiculous double time pisstake on being from Tasmania, I don’t know how they made it work because it should sound completely out of place but it doesn’t, it’s amazing and a nice little throw in to remind everyone that whatever happens, they’re still a punk band at heart.  
 
As for general progression it’s hard for a band who started off so complete and established to really ‘mature’ much. One thing I noticed is the already awesome lyrics have been stepped up in a massive way for this one, which is fucking cool. Sound wise I found the softer side of things much more prevalent on this release and while at times it borders on getting a bit dull or repetitive, it’s cool that they’ve worked hard to avoid putting out anything too similar to previous efforts.  
 
At the end of the day it’s the fucking Nation Blue man, you know it’s going to be good. The weaker points, which are still better than the best parts of most bands, are completely overshadowed by the force in the rest of the disc. These Tassie fucks just can’t put a single bung foot wrong.

If you don’t like this you’re probably an idiot.

1.   Rising Waters  

2.   If Not For The Good Things I’ve Done  

3.   I See Colours  

4.   Restless  

5.   Uprisings Off  

6.   Trespass  

7.   Lovers Darkness  

8.   This Nine’s Mine  

9.   Warm Water  

10.   My Composition  

11.   Spokenword  

12.   Ghost Nets  

13.   I’m Inbred  

14.   Lope Along Jawless  

15.   Cold Cluster  

16.   Rising Waters Outro