I was first exposed to Nicole Atkins last year when she had opened for the Avett Brothers on their winter tour. I wasn’t sure what I was getting in to but kept an open mind; she was opening for one of my favorite acts so I assumed the best. Atkins put on a great show, and her song Brooklyn’s on Fire was a definite standout during the show.
Since that show, I’ve quietly followed her, and when I got the chance to hear her upcoming album a few months ago, I frothed at the mouth. At first listen, Mondo Amore is an outstanding album. Nicole Atkins has one fantastic voice. That really doesn’t do it justice, it’s gorgeous, simply gorgeous.If she isn’t known as one of the best voices in music in the near future, I’d be surprised.
Bold statements aside, Atkins’ album is just as fun and wide ranging as her voice. From the dark, brooding ‘Vultures,’ to the twang of ‘My Baby Don’t Lie,’ to the poppy, and super catchy ‘Cry Cry Cry.’ To me closing track ‘The Tower’ is the strongest on the album. It’s a must listen, a haunting, emotionally hooking, melodramatic and epically building song that feels really intimate. Its at the point at which the music reaches a huge climactic theme and finally matches Atkins’ amazing vocals; a great exaltation that really wraps the album up perfectly, and MUST BE LISTENED TO.
Without exception, every song on this album is a good listen. The music is varied and well done, the vocals are superb; Nicole Atkins is a talent for sure, and she needs to be more well known, and I think this is the album that takes her to the next level.
Buy Mondo Amore
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Catch Nicole Atkins on tour:
(all dates with Cotton Jones except for NYC)
February 2011
9 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
12 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
13 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
15 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
18 – La Jolla, CA @ The Loft at UCSD
23 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
24 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
25 – Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rossa
26 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
27 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
March 2011
1 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
2 – Madison, WI @ The Frequency
4 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
5 – St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
7 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
9 – Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Love Brooklyns on Fire! Both masterpieces!
yeah i love that track. really fun.