Ever wonder what it sounds like when a Broadway-quality singer enters the pop realm?  Nicola, who presently resides near New York City, played Les Miserables for 2 years before striking out to make her own music.  Nicola's solo career must be cathartic, because she offers us emotionally-charged songs that are less bluesy than Joan Osbourne and rock harder than Ani Di Franco, but would please fans of both.

The mid-tempo rocker, "Down," is driven by acoustic and electric guitars.  Nicola's voice is well above the mix, as she pours out her heart, singing, "You let me down, down, down... catch me if you can."

A nifty acoustic guitar riff introduces "Leave It Alone," which has Nicola wasting no time to get her point across: "You don't owe me a God damn thing."  No worry of approaching Alanis Morissette territory, as Nicola doesn't possess the oddly annoying vocal qualities of Alanis.  "Real" is quite a stunner - instruments are full of impact and fully play up to Nicola's powerful voice.

Nicola is a uniquely talented vocalist - she has the pipes, and her songwriting is solid.  It would be wise for her to stretch out of the "angry love" lyrical realm, as she is going to find that part of the market very, very crowded. 

Download three MP3's by Nicola

Visit Nicola's website

Order Real now!

more CD reviews and features