Philadelphia’s Nothing return with their second album, following the well-received debut Guilty Of Everything in 2014.
Where that album dealt with the theme of frontman Domenic Palermo’s imprionment in 2002 for an aggravated assault charge, (he pleaded self-defence), Tired Of Tomorrow has a whole drama of its own to draw on: the record was originally meant to be released on Collect Records, until the band discovered that the label had been funded by now-infamous hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli. The label dissolved and Nothing took the album to Relapse Records.
Despite the difficult times, though, Tired Of Tomorrow is a much smoother proposition than its predecessor, with lush production from Palermo alongside band-mates Will Yip and Brandon Setta giving the tracks a real widescreen feel.
The band’s sound, however, is firmly in ‘New Shoegaze’ territory, but with just that bit more radio-friendly commerciality than peers such as Whirr (with whom they released an excellent split 12″ single two years ago).
‘Fever Queen’ sets the ball rolling with tasteful feedback giving way to sweet harmonies, while ‘The Dead Are Dumb’ is a beautiful track with some almost Cocteau Twins-like guitars (it would be great to see what a Robin Guthrie production of Nothing would sound like).
‘Vertigo Flowers’ has been shared ahead of the album’s release and it is easy to see why, it is an uptempo track with an instantly catchy feel.
‘ACD (Abcessive Compulsive Disorder)’ was released as a limited Record Store Day 12″ and is a highlight of side one, with echoes of Going Blank Again-era Ride and a winning chorus.
Both sides of the record end with a contemplative, melancholy track – the brilliant ‘Nineteen Ninety Heaven’ features an understated but really effective additional vocal from Kylie Lotz, while both songs, (the other being the title track), feature heart-tugging strings from Shelly Weiss. ‘Tired Of Tomorrow’ (the song) in fact features only piano, strings and vocals and is one of the best that Nothing have put their name to so far.
‘Curse Of The Sun’ and the charmingly-titled ‘Eaten By Worms’ hark back to the rougher, heavier sound of the debut, while ‘Everyone Is Happy’ returns to the more luxuriant formula of the new Nothing.
Nu-gaze (can we call it that?) bands often go to town on the vinyl versions of their records and it is perhaps interesting to note that the album is available in no less than twelve different coloured vinyl versions throughout the world, some of which are very limited indeed (the ‘highlighter yellow with rainbow splatter’ edition would appear to be an instant collectors’ item, with just 110 copies manufactured).
Tired Of Tomorrow could well be the album to nudge the band towards the mainstream and a wider audience.
Release Date: 13/05/2016
