Nicole Atkins has a burning passion to rock. After her successful major label debut Neptune City in 2007, she was inexplicably dropped by Columbia and started rebuilding her musical career. If there was any doubt about her rock cred, Mondo Amore puts them to rest very quickly.
Her sound is like the midway point between Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, and the rich orchestration in the haunting “Vultures” starts us out. Her soulful wail supports the excellent instrumentation. And the hooks are sharper than ever on the funky single “Cry, Cry, Cry.” It helps to have lighter moments here, because the album’s focus is bleak sadness best exemplified by “Hotel Plaster” where Nicole bares her soul as her strong vocal builds. Led Zepplin is an obvious influence on “You Come To Me,” a driving fast-tempo gem. The zydeco flavored “My Baby Don’t Lie” is another winner, and has a nice classical bridge between choruses. “Heavy Boots” booming drum beats and slow organ chords are a melodically gorgeous dirge. Nicole’s focus on struggle, survival, and heartbreak culminates in the epic “Tower.” This is an album that resonates long after the last note. I was also fortunate enough to interview Nicole for the Rock and Roll Report.
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