Album: Neptune City / Artist: Nicole Atkins / 10 tracks / Rock / Pop Noir / www.nicoleatkins.com
Reviewed by Melissa Vaughan
Pleasant surprises are always welcome, especially when they come through the discovery of distinctive art. Initially I thought that on her CD Neptune City, Nicole Atkins sounded similar to Amy Winehouse, with instrumentation borrowed from the 1960s, dynamic vocals, and overall a classic feel to the album. Upon a second and third listen however, I had a complete change of mind.
Nicole Atkins is a New Jersey native who has described her music as 'pop noir', but it is much more than that. She has achieved the elusive accomplishment of awakening the attention and the respect of both musicians and critics. Her current album, Neptune City, named for the town in which she grew up, consists of a consummate series of tracks which are as wildly entertaining, as they are introspective and dark. Kicking the album off with the upbeat “Maybe Tonight,” Atkins sets the tone for the subsequent songs, by utilizing multi-faceted lyrics. It is to her credit that she omits using large words to emphasize her obvious intelligence, but instead she writes clearly, and with a hint of nostalgia, both of which will be appreciated by a broad spectrum of fans.
The music is arranged with a lot of typical sounds, including piano, guitar, and steady percussion, but it's peppered with so many deliciously unique instruments that it makes for an interesting ear tickle. A mellotron vibraphone, a trumpet, and an organ are just a few of the complimentary layers that led to my initial comparisons to Winehouse; however, Atkins possesses her own unique sound. The introduction of slide guitar for some the songs, and the strings, which became more prevalent throughout the album, add to the ethereal element of the music.
“Brooklyn’s On Fire,” which appears as one of the middle tracks on the album, stands out, because Atkins incorporated a choir to shout out the title of the song with gusto.
The music reverts to an oldie vibe, as the album concludes with the rather mournful, “Party’s Over.”
There is nothing wrong with judging a book by its cover, or in this case a CD by its cover art. This is not something that I would normally say much about, but it is a gorgeous design, comprised of simple jewel tones which paint a vignette around the artist’s portrait. There are odd birds all over the cover, and the fonts are great. It's worth obsessing over for a minute or two. The album cover is worth obsessing over for a minute or two.
Overall, Neptune City impresses with its ability to nod to another era, while still bearing its own unique stamp. This is a decidedly buttery set of songs that is worth allowing yourself get lost in.
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Reviewed July 2008
Melissa Vaughan recently released her self-titled debut album to audiences in San Diego, California. Since then her music has been eagerly accepted by fans internationally, and it has received regular radio play. As she continues to write for upcoming projects, her style is evolving from mellow pop to quirky alternative music. She resides in San Diego and performs at venues locally and throughout the United States.You can listen to Melissa's music, by clicking here. In August Melissa will be performing in California on these dates and at these venues, August 2nd at the Milano Coffee Company in San Diego, August 8th at E Street Café, Encinitas, and August 15th at Lestats West in San Diego.
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