Customer Reviews

Don't Take It Personally

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From the first listen, Nicola's "Don't Take It Personally" gives the impression of an artist who has paid her dues in the world of rock and roll. Influenced by legends such as Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel, and Pearl Jam, Nicola is a refreshing female voice in a genre traditionally dominated by men. Not to be typecast among the other female acts of today, her vocals possess a confident, almost domineering edge that is complimented by a rapid-fire combination of electric and acoustic guitar.

The first track, "My Name Ain't Mary" is a fitting start for a rock album, the presence of heavy electric guitar

quite obvious from the get go. This is followed up with the more melodic "Almost," which conveys Nicola's

emotional side in typical acoustic fashion. The title track, "Don't Take It Personally" could almost be

considered a dance number, percussion maintaining a very popish rhythm.

Among the most notable tracks are "In Your Own Backyard" and "(5,6,7,8) Hot Date." Deviating the most from the album's formula, "Backyard" is a hip-hop song. It features the vocals of a rapper, Nicola serving as a

backdrop for the majority of the track except for one point where she nearly raps herself. "Hot Date" is a

song personified by a rage that can only be fueled by a woman's scorn. It is by far the most controversially

written songs of the album.

Near the end of the album is "One Life," a ballad that seems to directly contradict the emotions conveyed by

"Hot Date." It's this kind of contradiction that defines many great artists and serves as an internal source for

their music. Nicola is no exception. Unlike what the title would imply, the final track "Combustible" is a slow,

almost dreamy interlude in which Nicola's vocal talent is put on full display. Her singing is soulful and elegant

- bringing to a close an album that began in a very different manner.