Customer Reviews

Pebble to a Pearl (Dig)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Why oh why isn't Nikka Costa freakin all over the map?! Why isn't she more popular?! I'm not dissing her current status. God knows she sells out her shows and has an avid fanbase. But why isn't she all over the radio and making millions of dollars when she's got the talent to back it up?! It's a letdown really when you hear other limited singers being played on the radio everyday when Nikka is simply ignored.
This woman has been in the industry for years and it seems like it never really took off for her. Everybody's got their something could've been a radio hit if only her label had more faith in it.
Now, yes this is a review for her new album and it's nothing innovative from what she's done in the past. It's simply a good solid record that only Nikka Costa can do. She brings out the funk and it's damn good. If you're a fan then buy this without a doubt. If you're a new fan then buy this without a doubt too and discover a woman with soul.

Nikka opens the record's closer with the line "When your faith lights the cannon...tell me where's the god in that?". This new record is a breath of fresh air for anyone who misses earthy, funky, jazzy, soulful noise with intelligent and meaningful lyrical content. In a time when most songs are wrapped in digital instrumentation, Nikka has made a record with a truly analog feel, so that even if you are listening to an mp3 it still feels like an LP orbiting a turntable.

Nikka's harmonies are unmatched in today's industry. "Stuck to You" paints a perfect picture of her range as a vocalist. Songs like "Keep Pushin'" bring out the James Brown of this funky white chick - with a massive horn section to help back the funk. All in all, this album is...well..perfect. You will not be able to listen to anything else for one month after purchase.

Another solid album from one of the greated artists of our time. This is the third american released album of her 27 year career and as she keeps outdoing herself each time she gives us a new album.
The album features 12 songs where Nikka explores R&B, Soul, Blues, Jazz and I dare to say a little Bossanova with a hint of Reggae and Samba(this might be a stretch of my imagination but I swear my brazilian ears hear that on the track "Damn I Said It First").
Lyrically the album is an ode to perseverance proving that if you care about art you have to stick to your guns. Musically the whole record is very organic and the way it's recorded make it a timeless experience to the listener. It's a must buy!
I'm glad that my taste for music has evolved as she has as an artist.

Nikka Costa blew onto the music scene with her superb 2001 debut album " Everybody Got Their Something", featuring the major hit "Like a Feather". That album was co-produced by Mark Ronson, incidentally. After that, Nikka Costa seemingly dropped out of sight, only to resurface in 2005 with an okay but not great "can'tneverdidnothin" album. Now, after yet another long time away (and having been dropped from the Virgin label), Nikka Costa finally comes back with her third album, released independently.

"Pebble To A Pearl" (14 tracks; 57 min.) starts off with two tracks that seems to want to reinvent Nikka Costa into (Mark Ronson- produced) Amy Winehouse and/or Sharon Jones, and those tracks, first radio single "Stuck To You" and "Can't Please Everybody" are not bad, but don't sound like Nikka Costa's true self. The real Nikka Costa emerges on the title track that follows, and on "Cry Baby", great songs. But I rate the first half of the album only 3 stars. The second half is a LOT better, starting off with a biting "Keep Pushin'" and it doesn't let up from there, with great tracks like "Without Love" and leading to the best track of the album, the 6+ min. "Damn I Said It First", which reminds me of Bob Marley somehow. The ballad "Loving You" is fantastic too. I rate the second half of the album 4 stars.

In all, is this a bad album? Not at all, but at a running time of almost a full hour, the album would have been better served by deleting several of the weaker tracks and tightening up the flow of the album. I have to say I am slightly disappointed, despite the several highlights. That said, I cannot wait to see Nikka Costa in concert again. I saw her on the 2001 "Everybody Got Their Something" tour and she was phenomenal, reminding me of Janis Joplin in stage presence.

Slightly different from what you might expect, but it is a pleasent surprise. Nikka has a great respect for the roots of her music style and does a great job capturing that essence.

This is what the album will do to you.
NIKKA does it again!
A must have for any fan. The album is richer and much deeper than the cd.
You must play it in stereo.

I first learned of Nikka Costa through a cd catalog and was curious about her.Needless to say,she does not get credit due to her!Nikka's music definitely deserves radio playing time,but alas the best tunes don't always get the respect needed.I look forward to her future work and listening to her past music.

Nikka never fails to impress and thrill. (and ROCK YOUR BOOTY)
Everything she does is fantastic!

Nikka Costa can not make bad music so I'm going to love anything she does. This collection sounds like she's gone old school a little. Still some funk though. Recommended for all NC fans.

I have two other CD's by her and I believe this one has topped those two works of hers. Great lyrics, great musicians to back her up and you get a great CD. Buy it you will not be disappointed.