Tabloid Nation – They Never Told Us Why
NYC based alt rockers Tabloid Nation (TN) have a foundation built “pre-9/11.” Whether that’s a testament to their politically-charged leanings, or an unshakeable bond 20+ years in the making, it certainly informs the energy found on their latest offering, the 11-song They Never Told Us Why. Channeling a muscle car abandon (their words, not ours, but apt words nonetheless), these songs certainly sound muscular – expect rip-roaring guitars, honeyed melodies, and an accessible rock ‘n roll sound that sounds equal parts Alkaline Trio and Rise Against, with a not-so-subtle nod toward the foundational 1990’s sound where they laid their first bricks.
The band slams into your consciousness with opener “I’ll Make It Up To You.” There’s a Matt Skiba-esque drawl found here, soaring overtop their aforementioned rock ‘n roll backbone… And while the band is certainly rooted in a pleasantly accessible alt rock formatting, there are hints of other genres peeking through here. There’s a blue collar, punk rock, rust-belt grit to “I’ll Make It Up To You” that you might expect from fellow Northeasterners like The Menzingers or The Gaslight Anthem, with a vaguely emo vocal/lyrical delivery that promises to “make it up to you” in a way that will appeal to the inner 2005-er in us all. Big, distorted guitars are set off by chunky octave leads, while drums and bass thunder along. Same can be said for follow up track “Spring” – “Maybe we can get together, spring is coming, I can feel it” appeals to our inner Buffalonian (and probably their inner New Yorker, if we’re being honest) in a way that reminds us of all there is to do in the wintertime – drink, make music, and look forward to better weather. For this reason, we’re giving songs 1 & 2 our nod for album favorite. “Somewhere Below Union Square” feels like a match to these songs too – be sure not to give up before you find it in the 10th track slot.
While we admittedly tend to stray from songs with overtly political connotations, it is certainly another personality of TN – one that can be heard on “Mr. President.” It’s probably not too difficult to imagine who this song is about – but it’s full of eerie guitar theatrics, grungy bass, and a Soundgarden-esque groove that feels angry in a way that bubbles with vitriol like hot, gloopy lava. Around here, you can also feel TN shift toward more alternative-rock based songwriting – you can feel this rage in the brutal opening chords of “Silver City,” and “Helena” too, the latter of which has its ’90s guts on full display. “Helena” could easily be an Eve 6 song in a different lifetime – there’s even a wah-soaked guitar lead for added oomph.
Some rapid fire thoughts as you make your way through the latter half of They Never Told Us Why. Will Smith, eat your heart out – “Just The Two Of Us” will fit perfectly on your modern, rock-ized covers playlist, slotting in seamlessly between to “The Boys of Summer” and “99 Red Balloons.” “Infrared,” with its psyched-out approach, feels like it should be on a Gish era Smashing Pumpkins reissue. “American Star” plays around with radio rock bravado in a way that channels this album’s mid section… But It’s not all piss and vinegar – album closer, “Soldiers” wonders why they’re “never taught to ever doubt, never told to figure out” while dipping into synths and sparkly atmospherics. They even delve into some tasteful, Third Eye Blind-esque “oohs” toward the end.
They Never Told Us Why is out now (July 11, 2025). Check it out via the YouTube embed below. You can find it on Spotify and Apple Music as well.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Nick Sessanna