It has been two and a half years since Leeds rockers Dinosaur Pile-Up released their debut album ‘Growing Pains’, although “their” may not be the most accurate word to use. With Matt Bigland playing all the instruments on the debut recording, the result hinted heavily at the seemingly inevitable grunge revival.
Again, ‘Nature Nurture’ sees Bigland as the sole captain following the loss of former band mates Mike Sheils and Johnny Seymour shortly before heading into the studio. By retaining the creative control, the assured continuation of the grunge sound and the influx of pop-rock melodies cleverly build on ‘Growing Pains’.
Opener ‘Arizona Waiting’ packs an immediate punch, and although destined to insight some large scale sing-alongs, develops a melancholic atmosphere. The down tuning adds a darker veil over an otherwise summery anthem. These contradictions underpin the majority of the album, and cement the record’s highlights.
‘Derail’ pulls back on the grandiose rock and roll, retaining the dark undertones and slowing down on the overt riffs of the album opener. The sudden shift in sound does not feel awkward, instead demonstrating the variety on offer. Further in to the record, this variety is immediately clear on the mesmerising ‘White T-Shirt and Jeans’. Building on simplicity, the wavering force of the guitars sits perfectly behind a steady structure.
Rather than lose its impact or sound repetitive, it is these simple yet catchy melodies that underpin the record. Bigland has been hard at work pulling together rock and roll sounds, pop melodies and the ever-present grunge veneer. ‘Lip Hook Kiss’ utilises the basic anatomy from all the genres to create something unique and beautifully simple.
The album is stronger when pushed to its rockier limits – take ‘Heather’ or ‘Start Again’ as examples – or when the punchy cheerlessness takes centre stage. ‘Draw a Line’ increases in ferocity as the song continues until the rock and roll is bursting at the seams.
The LP takes the strongest moments of ‘Growing Pains’ and pushes them to the limits. Rather than focussing heavily on the grunge sound and encouraging murmurs of a revival, Dinosaur Pile-Up have built upon the juxtaposition of pop song structures and a bleak feel. Considerably more succinct and thought-out than ‘Growing Pains’, the album travels through stadium rock, downtrodden grunge and balls-out rock and roll, twisting simplicity into something unique. Ultimately, ‘Nature Nurture’ is an absolute gem of a British rock record.
BEN TIPPLE