Thanks to acts such as The John Henrys and Truth and Salvage Co., reviving the 1970s-era Americana rock of The Band has almost become its own subgenre. Los Angeles-based Dawes adds a little Laurel Canyon vibe, evoking the spirits of Jackson Browne and Neil Young. Since it'd be tough to draw from better sources, no one's complaining here.
Like its revivalist brethren, Dawes doesn't embarrass itself while reflecting on the past. Ringing endorsements are supplied by the fact that Browne (who also adds guest vocals to "Fire Away" here) and The Band's Robbie Robertson have both hired the band to back them up in concert.
Thematically, Nothing Is Wrong often concerns itself with returning home, metaphorically and literally. On the opening track, "Time Spent in Los Angeles," vocalist-guitarist Taylor Goldsmith sings, "These days, my friends don't seem to know me without a suitcase in my hand," and, "I used to think someone would love me for the places I have been." He's referring the challenges of touring, but his sentiments will stir something in most listeners.
Tunes such as "My Way Back Home" and "How Far We've Come" (featuring Goldsmith's drumming brother, Griffin, on vocals) further emphasize the band's effective combination of rockin' folk and bittersweet nostalgia. The final effect feels timeless and, in the manner that it looks back at personal life and rock history, a little melancholic.
