Review Summary: Nick 13 brings his A-game on his debut solo album, showing that he is more than a one trick pony. This album will appeal to most Tiger Army fans, as well as fans of country music and the casual music listener.
Nick 13 dazzles and surprises on his debut solo album. Those looking for the psychobilly/punk sound that made him famous in his band Tiger Army need look elsewhere. Nick 13 is on a full blown country kick here (think Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings). That being said, this album is phenomenal and one of the best releases of the year in any genre of music. Nick 13's signature croon fits well among the pedal steel and fiddle. The album starts off strong with probably the best song on the album "Nashville Winter", one of the more upbeat songs featured here. One of the most endearing things about this album is its honesty. Nick 13 never comes off as trying to hard or faking anything. "101" takes the classic topic of being on the road but places it in his native California, rather than in the south. Songs like "Carry my body down" and "All Alone" really show that Nick 13 has really learned his craft and spent time penning these songs. Tiger Army fans will recognize "In the Orchard" and "Cupids Victim", although both have been completely restructured with a hawaiian twist (In the Orchard) and a honky-tonk sound (Cupids Victim). The album closes with two of the top 3 tracks on the album in "Nighttime Sky" and "Gamblers Life". Both are upbeat songs and really show off Nick 13's vocal talent. One of the things that stands out most about this album is the stellar backing band playing with Nick 13. The rhythm section lays a perfect backbone to these songs while the pedal steel and fiddle add just enough flare to make the songs interesting and fun for multiple listens. This is definitely an album that you can come back to over and over for years to come.
