With most of their catalog out of print thanks to indie label bankruptcy, Scrawl have opted to rerecord five previously released tracks for their second major label release. The rerecordings mostly reproduce the earlier so... more »und with meatier production values. Not a surprise, since Scrawl's most noticeable attribute has been their Midwestern, workmanlike style that prefers the utilitarian approach to such studio excesses as backing vocals or reverb. As of late, though, the trio has been softening to better allow singer Marcy Mays to show off the emotional range she's been hiding behind the strum and bang. (There are even keyboards in parts.) This shift to quieter tones offsets the discordant material's X-like blare and sets the stage if they should decide to kiss punk rock good-bye for good. --Rob O'Connor« less
With most of their catalog out of print thanks to indie label bankruptcy, Scrawl have opted to rerecord five previously released tracks for their second major label release. The rerecordings mostly reproduce the earlier sound with meatier production values. Not a surprise, since Scrawl's most noticeable attribute has been their Midwestern, workmanlike style that prefers the utilitarian approach to such studio excesses as backing vocals or reverb. As of late, though, the trio has been softening to better allow singer Marcy Mays to show off the emotional range she's been hiding behind the strum and bang. (There are even keyboards in parts.) This shift to quieter tones offsets the discordant material's X-like blare and sets the stage if they should decide to kiss punk rock good-bye for good. --Rob O'Connor
Everyone really gonna miss you, but no one remembers you
that | usa | 12/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Why has this band been forgotten? Why are they left to rot in amazon back catalogue space? Bands like the afghan whigs (they covered one song off this disc pick it up to figure out which one it is) have these girls as inspiration. Should i say gurrls, you get the idea. Where are u now? Nature film does for greatest hits albums as Nevermind (by nirvana) did to rock albums. Here we see the band be (i hate the label and all that goes with it but ...) grunge before the label existed. We see them be hardcore before hardcore was more then a type. They rock. They rule all. Pacific north westerners who have played all dives and bars that one should ever have to play they remain unknown. I cry for them. I saw them live with the second drummer. My heart wonders why more people don't know who the are. Most of the stuff they released is out of print by this if you can. This is one of the best best of albums released before 2000. There will never be another band who has the chops, or the history of these. When u hear these songs just sing along and say goodbye."
Solid as Always
09/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This band finds its rightful place at the top of my long and illustrious list of totally underappreciated bands. Highly literate stuff that couples its emotional menace with an almost serenely informed knack for creating taut, swimmingly melodic post-punk gems.The PIL cover on this record is perhaps my favorite song of the year next to The Roots "Double Trouble" song.Like everything else in their sterling catalogue, this record is worth treasuring."
The day she was through with punk rock
John E. Wallace, Esq | The Susquehanna Valley | 01/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If Marcy Mays gives up on punk rock, a love of silver boots, and motorcycle t-shirts, then I'm giving up on them too. A spunky, raucous, tender, playful, mean, and lovely album. Like a night smoking Lucky Strikes followed by the morning after a night of smoking Lucky Strikes. Euphoria and regret, lialacs in the dead land, and stuff."
Heartbreaking yet neck snappin' good
that | 12/06/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Scrawl's music breaks your heart and rocks at the same time - how rare. I love Nature Film and the excellent Travel on Rider. This band's schtick is really complex, it's not just RAWK, and it's not really riotgrrl either. It's some ineffable combination of harmony and grit; Nature Film is the real deal ya'll."
Scrawl "best of" album is just that
James Baumann jamesb2@mindspring.co | Columbus, Ohio | 07/17/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not everyone is lucky enough to have copies of Scrawl's back catalog, so they decided to re-record a few of their favorites, throw in some new tunes and a PIL cover and call it Nature Film. With cleaner production and still-great songwriting this is one of the most enjoyable Scrawl (or any band, for that matter) records I've ever heard. Not part of any "riotgrrls" movement, Scrawl is just a unique, wonderful band and I'm glad they're around."