Boardwalk Soul: Nicole Atkins - Italian Ice

I didn’t want it to be like a Muscle Shoals tribute record, but I love sounds from the past,” she says. “I’m trying to keep those elements, like the melodies and that classic songwriting tone, but push them into the future. ~Nicole Atkins with Nashville Scene Lorie Liebig May 25, 2020

As songs were released in the past few weeks from the pandemic-delayed release of Nicole Atkins' fifth album Italian Ice, there was a vibe that was becoming obvious. From Captain to Domino to Mind Eraser, there wasn't just a vibe about these songs, it was actually a feeling. Call me Madame Marie, but after listening to Italian Ice from AM Gold to Splinters, the songs do evoke many feelings especially for those of use who grew up late 70s and early 80s where the sounds of Paul Anka in one room would be met in the dining room with someone listening to Quarterflash and the neighbor jamming to the Four Tops. If you close your eyes you are taken to a time and feeling of carefree revelry. Whether you grew up like Nicole on the Jersey Shore, or like me in Western PA, everyone knows that feeling of carefree abandonment in the summer. Nights by the fire pit, walking through the cavernous Casino on the boardwalk, or enjoying a night on your city apartment roof looking at the stars and listening to songs that make you forget.

Nicole's goal of capturing the feeling of Asbury Park, I can only attest to from an adult's point of view. But damn, she makes me wish my dad drove us to the Jersey Shore as a kid. Jersey was a mythic place having grown up in Western Pa, and Italian Ice just adds to all those feelings I thought it would be like to ride a carousal, see the tide lit up at night by the boardwalk vendors, and hear all the sounds and smell all the smells (that I did imagine were like the county fair, but without the cow and horse smells).

Heading to iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Nicole assembled a dream band : Dap Kings guitarist and WFUV DJ Binky Griptite, singer - song writer John Paul White, Swampers members David Hood and Spooner Oldham, drummer McKenzie Smith, musician extraordinaire Jim Sclavunos, and David "Moose" Sherman. Co-produced by Nicole and Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes), she invited even more friends to join in on the party at 3614 Jackson Highway such as Seth Avett, Erin Rae, Carl Broemel, and Hamilton Leithauser.

Unknown Photo Credit

In a studio where Cher, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones, George Michael, and so many stellar others recorded, Nicole has brought her own artistry and sound to create an album that culminates in a trip through time through a genre she has called "pop-noir."

Overall, the album has this literal feel that you've turned on a time and space distant AM radio station and you're hit with sounds that evoke memories of driving with the windows rolled all the way down and singing at the top of your lungs, to those slow drives through the almost autumn golden leaves, the sun shining through like a Def Leppard video of course for good measure. From crooning tunes to 80's INXS synth sounds, Italian ice captures many moods and sounds and adds its own flair for good measure.

Italian Ice isn't all cotton candy and merry-go -rounds though. Nicole brings some tones of the state of the world in AM Gold and also hearkens the Sandy ravaged boardwalk in In the Splinters. But Italian Ice is also a lot of truths of Nicole's own resilience on amazing catchy tunes such as Never Going Home Again where she sings of trials and tribulations on the road: Woke up feeling half dead in a Hello Kitty bed in Youngstown, Ohio. And throws in the great punch to add a dash of pride. Left the money, kept creative control for the sake of rock and roll. They are songs each as unique and creative as this artist who has kept us musically entertained throughout the pandemic.

Go support your local artists (Nicole) and or your local stores (record stores) and buy Italian Ice.

From video- Domino

2020: The Mix Tapes

In today’s world of fear and unease and social distancing, it’s hard to imagine sharing experiences like these ever again,” Grohl writes. “I don’t know when it will be safe to return to singing arm in arm at the top of our lungs, hearts racing, bodies moving, souls bursting with life. But I do know that we will do it again, because we have to. ~ Dave Grohl

As a music fan the past few months have been a challenge. This is, of course, an understatement. We also know the musicians we look to as therapists are also having to think about the economic impact, withdrawal from the energy of the crowd, and absurd stories from the road. We've been tuning into live streams, playlists, podcasts, and reading the op-eds. We also wonder about the venues and their employees and know they need our support now and when they can re-open. 

And the next question is about the future of how we enjoy music.Will rail riders be a thing of the not so distant past? How will we ever again enjoy the sweaty high five from our favorite lead singers? Will I ever again get my shoes stuck in a drying beer that was spilled on the floor? As frustrating as all of this may sound, we love music enough to adapt. If you tell us no more general admission standing room only. Okay. I have to sit one seat apart from my friends and strangers ... as long as they don't decide to yell at each other instead of have their annoying sidebar conversations instead of watching the band... okay. Will I miss the surge and movement of the crowd, thinking at any moment, the rogue wave of humanity will suck you under, only to be saved by security? Sad you lost your prime viewing spot in the process. Yes. But if we want music, we must adapt.

For a brief time a few weeks ago, I didn't listen to music (yeah, that was a really bad week). And then my significant other would play the same songs every night. Whiter Shade of Pale, The Rain Song, and A Day in the Life. Understanding they brought him comfort, to me, when I hear those songs in the future, is it going to bring me back to this hopeless, helpless, desperate moment ... and realized, just like a mix tape, there are some songs you love and some, after time, you learn to take it for what it was worth at the moment. Music can transport you to a time and a place. It can bring back a feeling of sunshine or dancing your heart out in the middle of a rain storm.

How many of you have gone back to the songs from your high school days?

We can honestly say that we are all in this together, even though it may feel as if sometimes we are alone. We all need each other more than ever. So get back to those playlists and create a mix tape for yourself and others. We're in charge of this set list - so let's make it a good one.

If you are able, please consider donating to support our favorite venues and their staff. Some links below:

Support your record stores https://vimeo.com/416397006

https://www.nivassoc.org/ National Independent Venue Association

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-bowery-ballroom-and-mercury-lounge-staff?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet - Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge Go Fund Me

https://www.gofundme.com/f/p8xzr-arlene039s-grocery-staff-fund Arlene's Grocery Go Fund Me

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
― Albert Camus