NICOLE ATKINS

SINGLE LOCK / COOKING VINYL

Italian Ice

Slick, stirring and just that tempting tad smoky, LP5 may well be Nicole Atkins’ magnum opus. The guitars are sparse and understated, focus undoubtedly set on her rich, croonerready vocal prowess; though when given the chance to swagger in the forground, the fretwork at play always threatens to steal the show – it’s frisky and funky and ever so fierce, whether booming as an overdriven solo or a chill plucked rhythm twinkling under Atkins’ soaring howl; notable highlights come when her affection for ‘60s psychedelica peeks through on “Mind Eraser” and “Captain”. Altogether, Atkins explores such a diverse and dynamic set of influences on ItalianIce that the end result is veraciously bold, inventive and enticing.