David Nail has also possessed a voice that could knock you flat. He often did not necessarily utilize it properly, or even pick the right material. But here, with the year finally ending, he offers up one of those defining entries that could change everything. “Roach Motel” depicts a heart-rending story about a sex worker and her journey to find inner strength.”
“Ain’t nothing you can do / That I ain’t ever felt or seen,” sings Nail. A somber, piano-based soundscape groans around him, and his performance is brittle and nuanced. He reveals the story layer by layer, and allows the listener to fill in the blanks.
Listen to “Roach Motel” below.