Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore
by Lisa Torem
published: 6 / 4 / 2011
Label:
Proper Records
Format: CD
intro
Bittersweet second solo album from New Jersey-based singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins, inspired by both the collapse of her deal with her major record company and the break-up of her long-term relationship
Nicole Atkin’s 2007 debut, 'Neptune City', allowed the singer-songwriter to vent about her garden state surroundings, but in ‘Mondo Amore’ she casts her fate to the unpredictable winds and even more to threatening storm clouds. The CD was written after her life took a downward turn. Her long-term relationship crumbled, as did her relationship with her major label. Case in point is the opening song ‘Vultures’. “Watch where death resides,” she sings, her throat grisled and emotive. What follows is the cantankerous ‘Cry Cry Cry’. ‘Hotel Plaster’ is piano-driven and bears a sonic likeness to Rufus Wainwright. ‘You Were the Devil’ and ‘War Is Hell’ fuse the hostility often associated with burned-out lovers and emotions that reach into other regions. ‘The Tower’ could be the epic contender for a contemporary rock opera. Atkins’ backing musicians are called the Black Sea and are Yalkowsky, Kay and drummer Ezra Oklan, who do a fine job of exploring Atkins’ bittersweet trajectory. Atkins is influenced by Scott Walker and Nick Cave, 60's psychedelia and David Lynch. What she may have gleaned from such artists is high stakes angst and that pours through. The anger comes through in the songs, but a bit more emotional range might have let us into her world even more. When Atkins returned to her apartment in Brooklyn, she enlisted the advice of producer Phil Palazzolo. She describes their working relationship as “hanging out with my best friend every day.” Atkins has been a frequent guest on 'Later…with Jools Holland' and 'The Late Show' (David Letterman) in 2008 and supported The Black Keys in 2010. She’s got a touching fury in her performance, but it will be fascinating to see if her future romantic escapades trigger even more intoxicating material.
Track Listing:-
1 Vultures2 Cry Cry Cry
3 Hotel Plaster
4 You Come To Me
5 My Baby Don't Lie
6 This Is For Love
7 You Were The Devil
8 War Is Hell
9 Heavy Boots
10 The Tower
11 The Tower
Band Links:-
http://www.mudkissphotography.co.ukLabel Links:-
http://www.proper-records.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/ProperRecords
https://twitter.com/ProperRecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/propertv
http://www.properdistribution.com/
http://instagram.com/properblog
live reviews |
Gullivers, Manchester, 16/10/2014 |
Mary O'Meara is enthralled by a powerful and extraordinary set from New Jersey songstress Nicole Atkins in a sweltering Gullivers in Manchester |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart