It’s hard to choose who to write a story about by February 14th. In rockabilly and country, half of the songs are about love, in one form or another. And the prophets of this bright and insidious feeling seem to be all the fathers of rock and roll. As I have repeatedly mentioned, I am most interested in modernity, so today I will tell you about the solo experience of the cursed by the highest subcultural psychobilly court, but so pleasant to the ear: Nick 13.
Nick’s solo career was limited to just one record, released in 2011. The Tiger Army couldn’t stay without its general for too long. Already in 2016, their album V ••• – was released. So, roughly speaking, Nick’s flirtations with country music and Americana took place in a very limited period: from about 2009 to 2015. Well, it’s better to be succinct than a lot.
Turning to this character, it is impossible not to recall with a nostalgic tear the subcultural battles of the “tenth” years. What lovely battles they were on the subject of whose saykobilly sayechney. I’ll tell you about Tiger Army, love and hate for them separately sometime, but now let’s take a closer look at Nick’s solo playlist.
Nashville Winter immediately sets a relaxed, very traditional narrative tone. A simple and pleasant song about returning home in winter. By the way, Nick did some of the work on the record in a Nashville studio. Away from Hollywood and closer to the roots, so to speak.
In general, looking at half of the tracks on this record, I would like to ask a completely logical question: what is so alternative about this cantrE? Is this criterion really distributed according to the informality of the artist’s appearance and the presence of tattoos?
And in connection with this song, I recall a recent story from a Nashville resident about how he spent five days without light and heat this winter. But this song is completely different, warm and cozy.
But Carry My Body Down is a real hit for my taste. Melancholic long-drawn howls in a neo-rockabilly key. By God, if Nick hadn’t gotten into a joke, but had done sweet post-Chris-Isaac neo–rockabilly, the world would have been completely different.
101 is already much more life-affirming. Telling about a road trip along the main California highway, this song is literally blown by a fresh breeze from the coast.
All Alone goes deeper into the territory of neo-rockabilly in the Scandinavian style: light gypsy with themes of loneliness and loss. The late Mike Bell had a lot of that, for example.
Once again swinging into more carefree, but still gently melancholic waters, Restless Moon gives the feeling of the very party where you can finally dance with your school friend.
In The Orchard 2011 is a reworking of the Tiger Army song, but the reworking is so powerful that it should be considered as an independent composition. A midtempo romantic dance for the same school party.
Someday once again takes the listener from the dance hall to the rural porch, where we are reminded that we should never give up. Such is the wisdom of everyday life, quite popular.
Another reworking of Tiger’s little things, Cupid’s Victim 2011, is designed in the same spirit. It’s a very good-natured song.
In Nighttime Sky, I can clearly hear the notes of Moscow Beat Devils. More specifically: Take Me Home Tonight songs. And this is undoubtedly a plus.
The album ends with Nick’s only non-original song. Well, Gambler’s Life was co-written with Alan White. This fact is quite readable by ear: the song does not stand out from the overall sound of the album, but it seems to be richer and richer.
That’s the end of the record, and it’s like Nick’s solo career is ending 13. The urban dude leaves the countryside, returning to his feline friends. And it’s a little sad, because in the present, when the role of a backing band for country artists is often performed by Artificial Intelligence, oh, how there are not enough albums like this. Commercial, but still very much alive and real.
On the eve of Valentine’s Day, I’ll tell you a little story. When my wife and I first met, our favorite dating format was driving on night roads near our hometown, naturally with good music. And then the above-described album of my namesake somehow did not come across to me, but for such romantic car rides it fits perfectly. I suggest you try this recipe and may love be with you!
