AMG Review of Coming Home

Bradley Torreano
All Music Guide

The Nadas are a heartland foursome with a good ear for melody and a clever lyricist in the form of Mike Butterworth. Some musicians in their position decide to take a self-important attitude that betrays the simplicity that this sort of music deserves. On top of that, many also try and dumb down their lyrics to the point that it is insulting to fans of the genre. But Butterworth is a grounded songwriter that isn't afraid to write clever and witty lyrics that aren't all sentimental small town odes. Admittedly, the band does nothing that a hundred other musicians in their spot haven't done before. But their laid back attitude and inviting sound definitely put them ahead of the pack, and that's where their charm lies. Take the humorous ode to success, "Rock Star." Instead of packing the song with cheap shots at more famous musicians, Butterworth puts himself in their shoes and allows himself to become a pompous jerk throughout the song, ending with an excellent line ("I broke both my legs from my fall from the top") that displays the same wit as vintage Paul Westerberg. Not every song is this clever and insightful, but more importantly they are all pretty solid tracks. Without a lick of ego and an appealing sound, the Nadas deliver a great little album with Coming Home.