Review | Nikki Lane - Walk of Shame
The recently released album of Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Nikki Lane, really snuck up on me. Its short, 32 minutes or so, but it comes with such a great package in its ability to mix elements of country-pop with 60’s girl group styles. Lane’s traditional country vocal stylings would fit right in with some of country music’s greats.
The South Carolina native left the south for the bright lights of LA and then bounced her back to the east coast holed up in NYC where she penned her first songs. The theme of the album is quite the usual, one of of a jilted lover, dejected about being left by her boyfriend who turns out he was recording his own album. Writing in her apartment in New York it all started pouring out, “I wrote a whole album in a month’s time and just decided I was going to make a record in Nashville. It was like my revenge record.” Her songs follow in the footsteps of Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, John Prine & Merle Haggard, she’s a contemporary country artist telling stories in song format.
These stories are her stock in trade, and although not too deep on the songwriting level, they still create and illustrate her narrative. Thematically, Walk of Shame, focuses on bittersweet songs about emotional struggles, the opener, “Lies,” she uncovers her lovers sordid secret affair, she explores denial & regret in “Walk of Shame,” & longing in “Coming Home To You.” You’ll find a multitude of music styles accompanying these narratives. The music themes on the Noir Americana, Spaghetti Westerns, 60’s Girl Group pop, classic country, & pedal steel and compliments her surprising voice.
Its a fun album to listen to because the influences are varied, yet all feel like thematically stand together well as a concept. Lane writes with a bit of wit, and a bit of comedy in the way she addresses her modern take on relationships. This album is well worth your time and worth your dollars.
Buy Walk Of Shame
NIKKI LANE TOUR DATES
Thu. Oct. 20 — New York, NY @ The Living Room (CMJ – Paste Party) – 4:00 PM
Thu. Oct. 20 — New York, NY @ The Delancey (CMJ – IAMSOUND Showcase) – 11:15 PM
Sat. Oct. 22 — New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall (SPIN Magazine & The Press House Party) – 12:50 PM
Fri. Nov. 18 – Nashville, TN @ The Exit/In w/ Rayland Baxter
Wed. Nov. 23 — Nashville, TN @ Loveless Barn (Music City Roots)
