Nate Latta
Broken Glass
Written, recorded, mixed, and mastered in S.B., Nate Latta’s recently released Broken Glass is quintessential California-born Americana. Here, twangy acoustics and electrics mix and mingle with folk’s staple noisemakers (think dobros, mandolins, and banjos) to solid effect. Still, the shining star of Glass’s 12-song run is Latta’s endearingly gruff speak sing. A rollicking rockabilly number in its own right, “Don’t Look Back” is elevated to new heights by way of Latta’s punk-meet-country swagger (and local Tom Ball’s super-speedy harmonica skills). Mid-album highlight “Sunset Bariloche” takes arrangement cues from old-school country balladeers, while “Prove Myself” goes the by-the-bayou route with no shortage of banjo pickin’ and couplet structures. By the time we hit album closer “Love I Never Knew,” the regional twang gives way to straightforward country western, brimming with a sun-soaked energy and folk-minded guitar line that’s decidedly SoCal.
