While I certainly appreciate all the oddly creative and sometimes disjointed genres of music coming out of New York City the last few years, what I haven't heard enough of from NYC lately is a straight-up rock band. No synth, no disco or New Wave stabs and no experimental noodling – just back to basics rock. That's where True Nature fills a void. Spearheaded by Lou Barlow (not the Lou Barlow of Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr. fame), and with players from the Spin Doctors, David Bowie and Peter Gabriel, You Shouldn't Have To Shout So Loud is six tracks of alt/modern/college rock that could fill arenas and radio waves.

The EP starts with “You Shouldn't Have To Shout So Loud,” a layered rock tune that's all shimmering guitars and thundering drums accompanying Barlow's gruff vocals with bits of atmospheric moments. This flows seamlessly into “Only Love,” a U2 meets Pearl Jam inspired anthem with classic rock ideas where Barlow's pipes bring Ed Kowalczyk heartfelt singing to mind. After a couple of loud offerings, “One Soul” turns the volume down for a more delicate ballad moment. That tone keeps going with “My Freedom Lies Behind The Sun,” on which softer blues dive into restrained '90s alt-rock. The closer “New Father” starts off quiet and stripped back and keeps the pace calm, an ideal exit for a well thought out and lyrically deep listen.

True Nature clearly wears their influences proudly, and if you're nostalgic for the sounds of rock music from the early '90s or are more partial to today's stars like Foo Fighters, this is a great starting point for the first time listener of what the band has to offer. Polished yet gritty, hard hitting yet calculated, there are a great balance of tempos and moods on You Shouldn’t Have To Shout So Loud, and yet it is a sound that remains consistently timeless.

Rating: B

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