Nicole Atkins & The Sea rocks!
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I've been into the music of Nicole Atkins & The Sea for a while now.In October of 2007 I witnessed the much advertised and anticipated appearance of Nicole Atkins & The Sea at Southpaw in Brooklyn, NY. Prior to the announcement of this tour, I wasn't aware of who she or this band was – however, I soon discovered that I did have bit of a clue as I had already seen the American Express commercial that she is featured in. Having become aware of them due to the prominent support announcement on the Raveonettes tour, I did some preliminary research and discovered a wonderfully magical and song video called "Neptune City". I was immediately taken by its unique and creative approach, both musically, vocally and visually. Having that bit of knowledge to go on, I was curious to see how this much-heralded singer would pull all of this off live.
Nicole is a true singer, with a powerful and dynamic voice. Her band is extremely tight and professional. Of particular note is keyboardist extraordinaire, and primary backup/harmony vocalist Daniel "Cashmere" Chen. We learned that was his nickname as Nicole told us all from the stage. Oh, and its also right there on the bands MySpace page too. The band is rounded out by the rest of the 4 D's - Dave Hollinghurst, Dan Mintzer and Derek Layes. I've instantly become a fan of her two biggest songs, both ballads – the aforementioned "Neptune City", and the single "The Way It Is". She also performed a full set up mostly uptempo numbers – as well as a cover. On this night it was a surprising rendition of the Doors classic "Crystal Ship". It was the type of song and performance to make one stand up and take notice. There's something very appealing about Nicole Atkins to me. She is such a "Jersey girl". Her whole personal history is wrapped up in the same cultural environment I grew up in. The New Jersey shore bar and amusement park scene. Yes, the same scene that first spawned Bruce Springsteen.
However, Nicole credits singers like Patsy Cline, the Shangri La's, the Sundays, Nick Drake and Roy Orbison as influences. Well, she credits others too, but those are the ones that I can clearly hear in her. For instance, on the song "The Way It Is" she sings in a deep almost female baritone – as if Marlene Dietrich has come back to life and was reborn in an otherwise innocent looking young woman. The chorus is amazingly big and powerful – here is the Roy Orbison influence. It's chill inducing stuff. Sleigh bells ring in the background and an undercurrent of an eerie orchestra creates sonic space. Her vocals are all passion and power. A lot of people have her pegged as the next big thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.Nicole Atkins & the Sea - Bowery Ballroom 1/25/08 Having already been won over to the sublime talent and charm of Nicole Atkins as a result of witnessing multiple support slot shows throughout the months of October (with The Ravonettes) and November (with The Pipettes), it was exciting to discover she and her band would be headlining her own show at the Bowery Ballroom. So it was on Friday night, January 25, 2008 that I would be heading down to that venue where I had seen so many great shows already. But this time it was *really a big deal*, as I had now become a rabid fan of all things Nicole.
As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, I guarded my methodically secured position in front of the stage, just under where Nicole would be standing. As the lights dimmed, the strains of Angelo Badalamenti's *Twin Peaks* theme began filling the concert hall. Nicole makes no secret about her love of Mr. Badalamenti's moody and sometimes surreal compositions. This intro music for her was perfect in every way - building the electric charged atmosphere and anticipation for the moment when Nicole and her band would hit the stage.Suddenly they were there. Flashing that sincerely joyful smile to the crowd, the band led off with the gorgeously hypnotic title track to her debut album "Neptune City". It's the very first song I ever heard of hers, and it still moves me every time I hear it. Opening with keyboard wizard Dan Chen's lush synthesizer strings, Nicole croons the tale of how "you can see me from this view, all they way down, trailing the procession". What always impresses me is how Nicole and her band play this song to picture perfect perfection - each and every time I hear it live. The recorded version of the song is accompanied by the most beautiful video, and for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE5hK6eLkYIWith the mood understandably somewhat hushed and reverential (though met with thunderous applause) Nic and her band kicked it up a notch with the good timey party tune "Maybe Tonight". This is a full on band song, in particular driven by dAve Hollinghurst's guitar work, and Dan Chen's piano. "I first saw you like an old ghost story, from my family tree, that was handed down to me," Nicole sings. 
Instant recognition from the crowd, and the bodies begin swaying all around."I've known you like a siren's song that warns, I have been informed, You could be the death of me," she continued. Then right to the hooky bridge:"Patience pounds on the time that I stole (with her voice rising in vibrato on the word "stole")"You were meant to be mine, I draw a duel with the cards of the Gods, that's been played in fated time"To the Big Chorus. "I know we'll meet again Maybe tonight, Just tell me where and whenI know its never sure, Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tonight".Nicole's adoring audience hangs on every Ronnettes-style drum beat and power vocal phrase from Nicole.
At this point Nicole decided to verbally engage the audience and marvel at all the new faces in the crowd. A clear indicator of her growing popularity, between sips of her drink she'd respond to the audience reaction to something she said with the simple word "sweet". I say that all the time too, and I'm sure I didn't get it *only* from having seen Napoleon Dynamite. Its just one of those responses that has worked its way into our language. More to the point, the additional purpose of this chat break was to tell the tale of the "Carouselle" - and how the only time everyone in the town of Asbury Park showed up in mass for something was when they came and tore it down. The song is great and it ends sadly with her singing "here comes the wrecking ball".A clip of her telling this story:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xUi8uQjAsEThen it was time for the always crowd-pleasing "Party's Over" . A rocking mid-tempo track driven along by Dan Mintzer's solid drumming. Again, the chorus is so hooky is just makes you feel good all over. "Let's go go go before an overreaction, gets us in trouble" she sings. Who can't relate? Many an "overreaction" has lead to the aforementioned "trouble". But it's the kind of trouble you wish for every day. "Darlin' it is almost morning, this is our last warning, lets get out while we can," she continues. Its one thing to see the words written down - but quite another thing to hear her sing them. There is something about the tone and richness of her voice that is so expressive - so *pleasing* that the only way to truly enjoy it all is to experience it for yourself.
That was followed by the lush show-stopper "The Way It Is". Nicole and her band have been playing this one live on all the late night television shows, and I can see as each host is completely blown away by it. I expect to see it happen because that's how it affected me. The chorus is amazingly big and powerful with the spirit of Roy Orbison dancing through it. It's chill inducing stuff. Drummer Dan Mintzer shakes Sleigh bells in the background while he and keyboardist Daniel Cashmere Chen provide the necessary background vocals. However, Nicole's vocals are all passion, power and expression.Up next was another feel good song, "Cool Enough". Its one of those great songs about meeting someone and just going with your gut feeling that you're going to like them. I particularly enjoy the 50's-era melody reference in the bridge area where Nic sings "Hiding out in alleyways and sleeping on the beaches in the summer," and the title reference "I know that I don't know you very well But you seem cool enough"The songs goes to softer plateaus - but its all just to build up to this huge, bombastic endout. Here guitarist dAve Hollinghurst gets to stretch out and show his obvious six-string mastery.
Buy this time everyone is sweat soaked but feeling good. Nicole and the band rip through additional fan favorites (see setlist below) but worth particular mentioning was a rousing rending of "Brooklyn's On Fire" and her ambitious cover of the Doors classic "Crystal Ship". A particular favorite of mine is her classic "Love Surreal". I love the way she moves on this song. Her hand gestures; the way she double-clutches the microphone on its stand; the way she just slightly shimmies and shakes as she sings her lines; the way she raises her slim and delicate looking hands up high, and then fans them out to the side to make an expressive point. The way she shakes her head back and forth on the chorus, causing her hair to fly left and right like a wild horse mane. Well, see for yourself on this clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHx9kKs21_gMore Nicole show reviews to come!
Nicole is a true singer, with a powerful and dynamic voice. Her band is extremely tight and professional. Of particular note is keyboardist extraordinaire, and primary backup/harmony vocalist Daniel "Cashmere" Chen. We learned that was his nickname as Nicole told us all from the stage. Oh, and its also right there on the bands MySpace page too. The band is rounded out by the rest of the 4 D's - Dave Hollinghurst, Dan Mintzer and Derek Layes. I've instantly become a fan of her two biggest songs, both ballads – the aforementioned "Neptune City", and the single "The Way It Is". She also performed a full set up mostly uptempo numbers – as well as a cover. On this night it was a surprising rendition of the Doors classic "Crystal Ship". It was the type of song and performance to make one stand up and take notice. There's something very appealing about Nicole Atkins to me. She is such a "Jersey girl". Her whole personal history is wrapped up in the same cultural environment I grew up in. The New Jersey shore bar and amusement park scene. Yes, the same scene that first spawned Bruce Springsteen.However, Nicole credits singers like Patsy Cline, the Shangri La's, the Sundays, Nick Drake and Roy Orbison as influences. Well, she credits others too, but those are the ones that I can clearly hear in her. For instance, on the song "The Way It Is" she sings in a deep almost female baritone – as if Marlene Dietrich has come back to life and was reborn in an otherwise innocent looking young woman. The chorus is amazingly big and powerful – here is the Roy Orbison influence. It's chill inducing stuff. Sleigh bells ring in the background and an undercurrent of an eerie orchestra creates sonic space. Her vocals are all passion and power. A lot of people have her pegged as the next big thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.Nicole Atkins & the Sea - Bowery Ballroom 1/25/08 Having already been won over to the sublime talent and charm of Nicole Atkins as a result of witnessing multiple support slot shows throughout the months of October (with The Ravonettes) and November (with The Pipettes), it was exciting to discover she and her band would be headlining her own show at the Bowery Ballroom. So it was on Friday night, January 25, 2008 that I would be heading down to that venue where I had seen so many great shows already. But this time it was *really a big deal*, as I had now become a rabid fan of all things Nicole.As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, I guarded my methodically secured position in front of the stage, just under where Nicole would be standing. As the lights dimmed, the strains of Angelo Badalamenti's *Twin Peaks* theme began filling the concert hall. Nicole makes no secret about her love of Mr. Badalamenti's moody and sometimes surreal compositions. This intro music for her was perfect in every way - building the electric charged atmosphere and anticipation for the moment when Nicole and her band would hit the stage.Suddenly they were there. Flashing that sincerely joyful smile to the crowd, the band led off with the gorgeously hypnotic title track to her debut album "Neptune City". It's the very first song I ever heard of hers, and it still moves me every time I hear it. Opening with keyboard wizard Dan Chen's lush synthesizer strings, Nicole croons the tale of how "you can see me from this view, all they way down, trailing the procession". What always impresses me is how Nicole and her band play this song to picture perfect perfection - each and every time I hear it live. The recorded version of the song is accompanied by the most beautiful video, and for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE5hK6eLkYIWith the mood understandably somewhat hushed and reverential (though met with thunderous applause) Nic and her band kicked it up a notch with the good timey party tune "Maybe Tonight". This is a full on band song, in particular driven by dAve Hollinghurst's guitar work, and Dan Chen's piano. "I first saw you like an old ghost story, from my family tree, that was handed down to me," Nicole sings. Instant recognition from the crowd, and the bodies begin swaying all around."I've known you like a siren's song that warns, I have been informed, You could be the death of me," she continued. Then right to the hooky bridge:"Patience pounds on the time that I stole (with her voice rising in vibrato on the word "stole")"You were meant to be mine, I draw a duel with the cards of the Gods, that's been played in fated time"To the Big Chorus. "I know we'll meet again Maybe tonight, Just tell me where and whenI know its never sure, Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tonight".Nicole's adoring audience hangs on every Ronnettes-style drum beat and power vocal phrase from Nicole.At this point Nicole decided to verbally engage the audience and marvel at all the new faces in the crowd. A clear indicator of her growing popularity, between sips of her drink she'd respond to the audience reaction to something she said with the simple word "sweet". I say that all the time too, and I'm sure I didn't get it *only* from having seen Napoleon Dynamite. Its just one of those responses that has worked its way into our language. More to the point, the additional purpose of this chat break was to tell the tale of the "Carouselle" - and how the only time everyone in the town of Asbury Park showed up in mass for something was when they came and tore it down. The song is great and it ends sadly with her singing "here comes the wrecking ball".A clip of her telling this story:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xUi8uQjAsEThen it was time for the always crowd-pleasing "Party's Over" . A rocking mid-tempo track driven along by Dan Mintzer's solid drumming. Again, the chorus is so hooky is just makes you feel good all over. "Let's go go go before an overreaction, gets us in trouble" she sings. Who can't relate? Many an "overreaction" has lead to the aforementioned "trouble". But it's the kind of trouble you wish for every day. "Darlin' it is almost morning, this is our last warning, lets get out while we can," she continues. Its one thing to see the words written down - but quite another thing to hear her sing them. There is something about the tone and richness of her voice that is so expressive - so *pleasing* that the only way to truly enjoy it all is to experience it for yourself.That was followed by the lush show-stopper "The Way It Is". Nicole and her band have been playing this one live on all the late night television shows, and I can see as each host is completely blown away by it. I expect to see it happen because that's how it affected me. The chorus is amazingly big and powerful with the spirit of Roy Orbison dancing through it. It's chill inducing stuff. Drummer Dan Mintzer shakes Sleigh bells in the background while he and keyboardist Daniel Cashmere Chen provide the necessary background vocals. However, Nicole's vocals are all passion, power and expression.Up next was another feel good song, "Cool Enough". Its one of those great songs about meeting someone and just going with your gut feeling that you're going to like them. I particularly enjoy the 50's-era melody reference in the bridge area where Nic sings "Hiding out in alleyways and sleeping on the beaches in the summer," and the title reference "I know that I don't know you very well But you seem cool enough"The songs goes to softer plateaus - but its all just to build up to this huge, bombastic endout. Here guitarist dAve Hollinghurst gets to stretch out and show his obvious six-string mastery.Buy this time everyone is sweat soaked but feeling good. Nicole and the band rip through additional fan favorites (see setlist below) but worth particular mentioning was a rousing rending of "Brooklyn's On Fire" and her ambitious cover of the Doors classic "Crystal Ship". A particular favorite of mine is her classic "Love Surreal". I love the way she moves on this song. Her hand gestures; the way she double-clutches the microphone on its stand; the way she just slightly shimmies and shakes as she sings her lines; the way she raises her slim and delicate looking hands up high, and then fans them out to the side to make an expressive point. The way she shakes her head back and forth on the chorus, causing her hair to fly left and right like a wild horse mane. Well, see for yourself on this clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHx9kKs21_gMore Nicole show reviews to come!
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