Seven KC mavericks deliver a transcendent rock record for the working class. It’s a brew of punk, new wave, the chili peppers and thanks to the professional sax player even krautrock and jazz. The band is DIALED IN. Rock solid performance throughout, take the Iron Maiden harmonizing in “The Hammer” or the spectacular psychedelic sax noodling on “Holes in the Crust” as a couple bits in a pile of nuggets. Black Randy and Big Boys taught us to love Upbeat Danceable Hard Hat Rock and now Nat Man is respectably holding that torch very high. They’ve checked all the boxes - great sound, great songs, great lyrics, great artwork. LR is thrilled to bring you this truly incredible record. 

Our take: After a tape and a 7” on Neck Chop (billed as “Natural Man and the Flamin’ Hot Band” on both), we get the debut 12” from this Kansas City group featuring Ian Teeple from Warm Bodies on vocals and synth. Living in a Chemical World reminds me of bands like the B-52’s and the Suburban Lawns (and contemporary bands like the World) in that they sound joyous and alive, partaking in the amped-up energy levels of punk rock with none of the heaviness or macho posturing of hardcore. While it’s super melodic, there’s so much going on in the music that it never sounds poppy… the vocals are way down in the mix and catchy melodic lines often cross-cross and buzz past one another faster than you can process them. While the band makes a big sound, the saxophone is often the focal point, and I like when the other instruments harmonize with the saxophone lines, which happens often. The Natural Man Band is doing their own thing, and if you like your punk out there, original, and high energy, this is a solid grip. Great artwork, too!