CD REVIEW "Precious Things"
Gritz CD Reviews by Josh Chasin Gritz.Net

Nicki Sutherland is a singer/songwriter from Columbus, Georgia. Her latest release, "Precious Things", is a work of dark folk with a rock edge that is reminiscent of what may now be called the Lillith Fair sound.

Indeed the opening cut, "Trains", kicks off with an acoustic guitar strumming a chord progression so familiar that it wracked my brain, until I realized you could sing Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution" over it. But when Sutherland's sultry, breathy voice comes in - "I'm sittin' at a station, waitin' for a train" - and you're in another place entirely.

Sutherland's quirky songs and urgent, emotional singing have more than a little in common with the work of R.E.M. and the darker, poppier moments on records by Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, and Dave Matthews. "Precious Things" is almost defiant in the way it eschews the big grab for radio play that can sound so overt on many so-called singer-songwriter releases these days. You don't hear a crew of Nashville pros, polishing and glossing up Sutherland's dark songs of bitter truth with happy-time pedal steel, say. And of course, all for the better.

On first listen you are struck with the pleasant sound of the guitars, the vocals. You might even make the mistake of thinking this is an innocuous, catchy little record. On the second or third listen, though, these songs get under your skin; the images and lyrics seep through and take root. And they are somber, slightly haunting, poignant images, images of an innocence lost.

In "Part of This World" she sings, "I pretend I'm happy/ But happiness is not a friend of mine." This lyric may sum up the perspective of the protagonist on this album. In "Not the Daughter" she sings "Daddy doesn't understand his daughter / He just shrugs and shakes his head." Lines like these - little, matter-of-fact lines - punctuate the songs and break your heart. But then that driving acoustic guitar kicks in, signaling - not hope, exactly, but keeping on, despite it all. And in its own way, that musical message can be quite compelling and uplifting, if you let it be. In that way, "Precious Things" is a lot like life.


CD REVIEW "Precious Things"
What's on Disc by Thomas Schulte WomanRock.Com

Nicki Sutherland is a singer-songwriter par excellence. Her album "Precious Things" is replete in solid songwriting and percussive acoustic guitar with intricate, enticing melodies. Nicki mixed the recording herself and the results show her care. The voice and guitar, the melodic mainstays of her material, are foremost. Sutherland's delivery is personal and warm; each of the album's ten tracks is a 'precious thing.'


CD REVIEW "Precious Things", Hermit's Song
Karen E. Reynolds - Writer's Block/ Sound Advice

"I've seen Nicki Sutherland play live...and her CD has the same excitement to it. Her voice runs from 'breathy brush', to 'in your face'. Arrangement wise, Hermit is a roller coaster ride, taking the listener wherever it chooses."


CD REVIEW "Precious Things"
Laura Vess - 'Reaching Out', Volume 2, Issue 1

Nicki Sutherland, the Columbus based girl behind Precious Things, is definitely this reviewer's new flavor of the month. Graced with a voice reminiscent of a young Wendy Bucklew and an unconfined passionate style uniquely her own, Sutherland already has tongues wagging in her adopted home town. It's no wonder her CD, Precious Things, is blessed with both beautiful music and good production, a rare find for a first recording.

The stand out percussion on "Stop the World", "Hand to Mouth", and the untitled track 11 are one of the most obvious signs Sutherland has something different to offer Atlanta audiences. And though track 11 might be treading a little close to a Tori Amos sound, the bare bones, percussion only arrangement is a great vehicle for Sutherland's impassioned lyrics and ample vocal ability. In fact, Sutherland's voice is what really drives this CD and gives her a distinctive edge. Her unusual accent and husky, breathless tone propels her above the sea of aspiring female musicians choking Atlanta's open mic nights.

Nicki Sutherland, quite simply sounds fresh. Women musicians in the local scene too often want to be the next Michelle Malone or Indigo Girl instead of taking he time to find their own style and expression. Sutherland hasn't been around that long, but she already knows who she wants to be, and it isn't a clone of somebody else already out there. Sutherland only learned how to play the guitar and started performing a few years ago, but if this is the kind of music she can put out with only a couple years of experience under her belt, this girl is going to kick some major ass in the future.

One of the best aspects of Precious Thins is the way it manages to interweave a variety of musical styles into an exotic and tasty tapestry with ease. The album is primarily a juicy blend of pop, folk and rock, but Sutherland also manages to add a touch of jazz and world music to some of the melodies. The songs also cover a wide range of emotions and experiences, both intensely personas and intimately accessible. Though this twenty-three year old still projects the underlying optimism and unbroken spirit of her age, she also shows a hard wisdom and maturity far beyond her youth. Most anyone will find something to relate to in Sutherland's music, whether you prefer kicking yourself in the teeth over your latest relationship, "Haunted", or trying to reconcile the injustices of your childhood, "Not the Daughter".

If you are looking for just another chick CD to pop in your card stereo for long road trips, search else. But if you want to get the lowdown on what may be the next hot women musician to conquer Atlanta, Precious Things should be your next stop.