NEW MUSIC: Nicole Atkins
Nicole Atkins
Album: Neptune City (Columbia)
In stores: Now
Why we care: This 28-year-old NYC act has described her sound as "a girl group in a David Lynch movie." Weird, but true. There’s a heartache darkness to her songs, as well as a Spectorian grandeur and swooping string parts. The song Maybe Tonight is a marvel of shimmering pop kookiness.
(CLICK HERE to LISTEN to Maybe Tonight. You won't be sorry.)
Why we like it: David Lynch never cared about making hits, but Atkins is a showboat at heart. With a voice not unlike Stevie Nicks’ Wiccan come-on, she builds her songs from the handclaps up. And although she likes to play it cool, she can’t resist the occasional disco beat and vocal flurry.
Reminds us of: If Fleetwood Mac and ABBA started dating.
Download these: Maybe Tonight and Together We’re Both Alone
Grade: B+
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
I was so happy with your Alice Smith recommendation that I'm going to trust you on this one. Is trusting Sean Daly wise?
Posted by: Marissa | November 23, 2007 at 08:50 PM
I know this comment comes shortly after the other one, but I'm listening to "Party's Over." It reminds me of a throw back to the 60s. She's as if Petula Clark and LuLu had a love child raised by Cass Elliot and Brian Wilson.
She is far from sounding like Elmer Fudd in a juicer (which is what I compare Stevie Nicks to).
I like it. I'm beginning to trust you Sean.
Posted by: Marissa | November 23, 2007 at 09:06 PM
eh, not so sure. I listened, thought about it, it is on the site of my Russian music providers ... but no, I like Regina Spektor better ...
Posted by: chase | November 25, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Thanks for the tip on this one.. I'm going to have to check this out..
I guess we need to start saying "In Sean We Trust" now.. as we know he would never lead us wrong... wow did i just say that.... MAMA NO!!! :)
Posted by: Weldon | November 26, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Nice voice, far better -- and stronger -- than Steve Nicks' goat-like warble. But my God: could her backup band look any more Canadian? Like third string REM rejects. Still they make a great sound even with a tambourine and a string of bells on a stool. Wouldn't that be amazing if we could do that?
So, does she write her own material? (Probably.)
Posted by: Rick | November 27, 2007 at 10:23 AM