It s been a tumultuous three years since the release of Nicole 　　Atkins acclaimed 2007 debut, Neptune City, but the wait has 　　proved worth it. Mondo Amore is a courageous, provocative work, 　　fraught with dramatic tension, sweeping emotions, and musical 　　ambition, with Atkins remarkable voice commanding attention at 　　the forefront. Daytrotter described Atkins recent session as a 　　pretty soundtrack to violent waters, which the New Jersey-born 　　singer/songwriter sees as a spot-on portrayal of the album itself. 　　On Mondo Amore, Atkins goal was to create a more volatile sound 　　than she had previously attempted, a sonic approach akin to such 　　influences as Scott Walker and Nick Cave, while also touching on 　　longtime inspirations like the blues and classic 60s psychedelic rock. 　　As its all-encompassing title suggests, Mondo Amore is a big, bold 　　collection, a grandly romantic song cycle fraught with all the 　　passion, anger, tenderness and devotion of Atkins own 　　extraordinary heart.