Nathan - Key Principles

It might seem a bit strange at first for a Canadian band to be playing Americana-sounding music, but essentially that’s what Winnipeg-based Nathan is doing on their third album, Key Principles. While tapping into this tradition, one then realizes that the themes Nathan sings about on this record are universal, and then the notion of “Canadian Americana” (Canadiana?) isn’t too much of a stretch. Lead vocalist Keri Latimer’s Jenny Lewis-esque voice takes this set in an appealing direction, particularly on the key tracks “Terrible Way to See Omaha” and “Let Them Look.” While not as haunting as their American counterparts, Nathan takes the Americana tradition and makes it their own. [www.nathanmusic.ca]