Review
Nick 13
Self Titled

Many were intrigued when Tiger Army frontman, Nick 13, first announced he’d be releasing a solo country album. It was a sound that fans were already familiar with from Tiger Army songs like “Outlaw Heart” and “The Long Road.” However, I’m not sure everyone was prepared for the genuine country vibe that Nick 13 managed to execute on this record. After spending 3 years working on it, Nick 13 has given us something that’s more traditional and distinguished from his Psychobilly-counterpart.

You immediately get what Nick’s going for on this album with the opener, “Nashville Winter.” It’s very appropriate that he would open with this track about leaving home for Nashville, as that’s exactly what he did for inspiration to write this record. That country influence shows very well in this catchy number laden with soft vocals, fiddles, and steel guitar. The next track, “Carry My Body Down,” is more along the lines of what I expected when Nick first mentioned that his solo-album would be in the same vein as the country songs from Tiger Army’s records. It bears that same tone and feel as say, “Outlaw Heart,” but is definitely better suited for this. As we move along, we get a taste of the Bakersfield sound with the befittingly titled, “101.” Contrasting “101” is the moody and thumping track, “All Alone.” A short stand-up bass intro leads us into an eerie fill just before Nick’s smooth vocals jump in and create this vintage sound. "All Alone" is probably the most stand-out track for me.

It’s not long before we reach the first of two revamped Tiger Army songs, “In the Orchard.” Although it’s a nice take on the song and separate from the original, it feels unnecessary. He’s rearranged the track by adding in some piano and slowing it down. It works well in the context of the album, but it also drags it down. Next is the more classic sounding original, “Someday.” It’s a nice toe-tapper, but one of the weaker tracks. We then get to the new honky-tonk rendition of “Cupid’s Victim.” It sounds like an entirely new song compared to the Power of Moonlite original. The upbeat, rockabilly, tempo has been slowed down to a crawl, and strums have been replaced with twangy guitars. It’s more entertaining than “In The Orchard” but another one of the weaker tracks on the album. After the mid-tempo “Restless Sky,” we reach the record’s rockin’ closer, “Gambler’s Life.” This track has one of the best verses and riffs on the album, but the chorus sounds a little awkward and out of place. Overall, it’s the perfect track to close out Nick 13’s solo-debut.

Nick 13’s Self-Titled album is 10 tracks of fresh air for his fans. For the newcomers, he’s making traditional country music more accessible. It’s a solid record that stands alone from his previous work, and I hope there will be more.