Nat Johnson and the Figureheads - Roman Radio (Damaged Goods) By Dick Spring

For 21 years now, the Damaged Goods label has brought the world a riot of punk rock and guitar pop bands, even 'discovering' the Manic Street Preachers along the way. Alongside this indulgence and guiding the career of medway marauders like Billy Childish, Thee Headcoats, Pete Molinari etc, it seems to have a penchant for an interesting female vocal as well. There seems to be a similarly diverse strategy to this also, with the likes of Helen Love alongside Fabienne Delsol, and label stalwart Holly Golightly.

Joining this eclectic squad is new signing Nat Johnson and The Figureheads. Nat Johnson is the former front woman of Sheffield stalwarts Monkey Swallows the Universe - quite a gobful of a name that, who spent 5 years toiling the Sheffield circuit. Now she's back with her own band The Figureheads, which does include her former band mate, guitarist Kevin Gori. Compared with her former outfit, this one is definitely a progression, with a much more cohesive and measured effort for her debut album on DG. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to it, especially as I hear a number of my favourite female vocalists in her music, most notably on All This, January and Careful - a strong Mazzy Star sound, but with a softer style than the sometimes harsh style of Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval.

First single, Wonderful Emergency has a smooth indie groove that could sit next to ex Sheffield-ites The Long Blondes, or even Kate Nash. Definitely one you can 'swing your pants' to. Wasted has a brooding sound, akin to early Cranberries and mid 90's off kilter indie darlings Salad. Also represented from the 90's britpop days are Lush and even Sleeper. Dirty Rotten Soul moves along at pace, with it's rhythm and country styling that is reminiscent of Lily Allen's It's Not Fair; no bad thing at all as I really like that song.

I would probably be expected to eulogise on subject matter of the songs but I prefer to comment on what I hear and my gut reaction to the music, though some lyrics for reference certainly don't go amiss, but that said this album comes in very lush packaging on CD and Vinyl, as is a hallmark of Damaged Goods (some of their coloured vinyl 7" singles are simply magnificent). Links: www.natjohnson.com

www.damagedgoods.co.uk www.myspace.com/natjohnsonband www.myspace.com/damagedgoodsrecords Copyright © Dick Spring 2009

thisisUll.com Featured Writer Dick Spring
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