CD Review

Nicola is a feisty, native New Yorker who went from performing nightly on Broadway in “Les Miserable” to fronting her own indie rock band that has been influenced by such pop and alternative acts as Vertical Horizon, Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco and others. And if there’s anything to learn from those acts - some of whom have had major hits - its that what the world needs now more than ever is a firmly crafted pop song. On Nicola’s second and latest release, she offers just that. With an amazing voice, she can easily and skillfully modulate from dripping with sex appeal, to a silkily soulful croon, and into a powerfully confident, strutting shout. Nicola’s voice is infinitely better than any of those pretenders on American Idol (and unlike them she plays her own instruments.) And behind her is a tight, collective, cohesive unit that plays some hook-filled backing music.

The songs on “What’s The Point?” are strongly pop-orientated and highly structured. Some tracks are a bit clichéd both lyrically and structurally but they’re done in an enthusiastic, passionate way that can make a listener easily forgive Nicola and her band for their transgressions. If anything, what the album will show is what I believe will be a future superstar perfecting her craft, and creating something truly exciting.

For more info see: nicolanicola.com