ALBUM REVIEW: Nicolette and the Nobodies Arrive Via ‘The Long Way’

Discovering a performer with a big voice can be a special kind of thrill. Think young Connie Smith in the ’60s, early Neko Case in the ’90s, or whoever gives you a buzz. There’s something uniquely exhilarating about encountering a singer who has the firepower to rattle windows. Now, get ready for newcomer Nicolette Hoang, who struts her stuff with exuberant flair on The Long Way.

Nicolette Hoang (photo by Heather Saitz)

Though Hoang sounds like she hails from a whiskey-soaked honky-tonk down in the boondocks, the Guelph, Ontario, resident is the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. A disciple of Tammy Wynette, she gets a stellar assist on this sparkling debut from her three Nobodies, who are the best kind of bar band, providing energetic, deceptively subtle support. Guitarist Ian Bain is a mighty foil, ranging from low twang to fiery rock-and-roll riffs, with additional flavors courtesy of producer Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel and Thomas Hammerton on keys.

The Long Way offers classic cry-in-your-beer tales of rotten romance and alcoholic excess. In the blistering leadoff track, “Better Days,” Hoang sees her friends growing up and starting families, wondering “when my better days will come for me,” and perhaps reflecting the anxieties of someone foolish enough to pursue life as a musician. Although the stomping “Rodeo” is a broken-hearted lament, Hoang’s defiant resilience (“I’ll be better off without you”) puts a “cruel” ex in his place, while “Don’t You Dare” scolds an unreliable partner (“Best to start walking your ass out the door / ’Cause I ain’t putting up with it no more”), propelled by a furious groove more punk than country.

She isn’t all bravado. The muted “Show Up” is a moving plea for emotional support, with Hoang wailing, “Everybody’s telling me I need to be strong … Maybe I don’t wanna be.” And the charming “Losing More” enlists Paul Weber for a comically woeful duet that reveals deep affection for those shamelessly mawkish George and Tammy hits.

Flashes of an alternate approach surface elsewhere. Topping seven minutes, the epic, stadium-worthy ballad “Ready or Not” gives Bain plenty of space to unleash his hottest guitar-hero licks. It’s not bad, but seems like the work of a different band. The album-closing title track, which also approaches the seven-minute mark, fits better, taking a toe-tapping “trip down memory lane” and building to a satisfying gospel-style climax.

An early contender for rookie of the year honors, Nicolette Hoang demands to be heard. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel not far down the road.

Nicolette and The Nobodies’ The Long Way is out April 12 on Arthaus Music.