Nick Santino – Big Skies
Review by Theresa Pham
After two wonderful EPs, Nick Santino, former frontman of A Rocket to The Moon, has finally released his debut full length album. As someone who has semi-religiously followed Santino’s musical journey, I could not be more impressed by Santino’s debut album. The album comes with much anticipation and curiosity of the direction he was going to go. Titled Big Skies, the album is playful, nostalgic, and extremely introverted. Santino’s new sound may be less colorful and ornate, but the stories behind each are much more personal, romantic and whimsical. The entire album is quite bittersweet, reminds me of home, and also makes me want to travel.
The album opens up with “Bad Taste,” the perfect song for both fans of ARTTM’s final album Wild and Free and his previous EPs. The track is extremely smooth and has a careful ease that coyly teases the songs to come. “Can’t Say I Miss You” is the next track and immediately picks up the energy. Quite similar to what one would expect, but Santino still carries a calm, carefree, rock-n-roll sound, while picking up the pace. Despite the strange juxtaposition of emotions the lyrics evoke, it is one of my favorite songs. I like to look at it from the stance point of someone who is reflecting on and finally coming to terms with a relationship that may not have ended well, but ended for the better; an upbeat goodbye.
The third track “Gone Like Yesterday” Santino begins to reveal his true inner country side he has been hiding, but it is not until the middle of the album when he pulls out all the stops. “It Is What It Is” is by far one of the more “country” tracks and adds an interesting twist. There is even a … wait for it… FIDDLE SOLO in the middle of the track. WHAT? I would have never in my wildest dreams imagines a fiddle solo from a Nick Santino song, but it works. The delicate female harmonies are a fantastic contrast to his vocals and add brightness to his tunes. Santino was also able to sneak a couple full blown rock songs that include stronger vocals, a driving beat and a catchy chorus. “Mood Ring Eyes” is a clever song that is just plain fun to listen to.
My favorite songs off the album would have to be “Jackson Browne” and “She Don’t Miss Me.” The two songs highlight Santino’s broad range of skills and talent. “Jackson Browne” is type of song I would set to a highlight reel of my movie worthy summer. “She Don’t Miss Me” is much more heartbreaking than the rest of the album and a honest take on love lost. The production of the song, and album overall, is also brilliant. The song sounds distant and is gritty around the edges, but his vocals are so pure and raw. Kudos to Pat Kirch.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sad when ARTTM announced that they were disbanding, but I would be a bigger liar if I said that Nick Santino hasn’t found where he belongs. Big Skies is evidence that Santino has found his sound and the direction he wants his future to go. The album does highlight his strength and has some great songs on it, but Santino still needs to do a bit of fine-tuning. But once he works out those tiny kinks, his next album is going to take the world by storm. That aside, Big Skies is a phenomenal summer album that will take a few listens to fully appreciate it, but before you know it, will completely take over your iPod.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Recommended Tracks: “Can’t Say I Miss You,” “Jackson Browne” and “She Don’t Miss Me”
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