Xiu Xiu - Nina

Review by Amit Kooner

Nina, the latest album by Xiu Xiu, is a captivating and emotional tribute to the legendary singer Nina Simone. With Jamie Stewart's haunting vocals and the band's experimental sound, the album offers a unique and thought-provoking interpretation of Simone's iconic songs.

From the opening track, "Don't Smoke in Bed," Xiu Xiu sets a somber and introspective tone, with Stewart's voice conveying a deep sense of longing and melancholy. The band's experimental approach to the arrangements, incorporating electronic beats and distorted guitars, adds an edginess and tension to the songs.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Feeling Good," which features a sparse, piano-driven arrangement that gradually builds in intensity as Stewart's voice soars over the top. The song perfectly captures the optimism and hopefulness of Simone's original, while also adding a layer of rawness and vulnerability.

Other highlights include "Wild Is the Wind," a haunting ballad that showcases Stewart's impressive vocal range, and "I Put a Spell on You," which features a pulsing electronic beat and distorted guitar riffs that give the song a sense of urgency and danger.

Artist: Xiu Xiu
Album: Nina

2012

Rating: 3.75

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
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Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Summary
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: xiu-xiu-nina.rar

MP3 size: 112 mb
FLAC size: 684.8 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Don't Smoke In Bed
Flo Me La	6:51
The Other Woman	2:54
Four Women	4:13
Just Say I Love Him	3:25
You'd Be So Nice
Don't Explain	4:28
Where Can I Go Without You	4:6
Where Can I Go?	04:06
Wild Is The Wind
Don't Smoke in Bed	4:48
Don't Explain
Pirate Jenny	5:52
See Line Woman	2:35
You'd Be So Nice	3:49
Wild Is the Wind	6:7

Video

xiu xiu - just say I love him

Images

Catalog Numbers

GRAVE103

Labels

Graveface Records

Listen online

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online luisteren
ascolta in linea
lytte på nettet
escuchar en línea
online anhören
kuunnella verkossa
ouvir online
écouter en ligne

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Limited Edition
180 gram
Baby Blue
Test Pressing
33 ⅓ RPM
Baby Blue Vinyl
CD
Putty-colored swirl
Club Edition
Numbered
Blood Red Inside Clear (Color-In-Color)
Cassette

Companies

Role	Company
Recorded At	The Bunker Studio
Mixed At	Hi-Bias Studios
Mastered At	The Boiler Room
Manufactured By	Pirates Press
Copyright (c)	Xiu Xiu
Pressed By	GZ Digital Media

Credits

Role	Credit
Accordion	Andrea Parker
Electronics	Andrea Parker
Piano	Andrea Parker
Synthesizer	Andrea Parker
Alto Saxophone	Tim Berne
Baritone Saxophone	Tim Berne
Arranged By	Ches Smith
Design	Joe Stewart
Drums	Ches Smith
Engineer	Aaron Nevezie
Guitar	Mary Halvorson
Mastered By	Collin Jordan
Mixed By	Chris Koltay
Producer	Ches Smith, Jamie Stewart
Tenor Saxophone	Tony Malaby
Vocals	Jamie Stewart

Notes

Initial vinyl release in four editions:
100 copies on heavyweight 180gram black vinyl [mailorder only]
1200 copies on standard-weight baby blue vinyl [mailorder & retail]
300 copies on standard-weight blood red inside clear [Label subscription]
Unknown # of copies on gray & white [RSD Black Friday]
This release page reflects the 180gram black edition vinyl.
1200 copies on standard-weight baby blue vinyl [mailorder & retail] [THIS]
Engineered at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn
Mixed at Hi Bias Recording in Detroit
Mastered at Boiler Room in Chicago
Special thanks to Ryan Graveface, Greg Saunier & SWANS
© 2013 Xiu Xiu
Limited to 50 Test Presses. Hand numbered w/ William Schaff stenciled artwork.
Xiu Xiu plays the music of Nina Simone
Assistant recording engineering at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn.
Assistant mix engineering at Hi Bias in Detroit.
Mastered at Boiler Room in Chicago.
Track positions on the back of the sleeve do not match the actual CD content.
Limited Edition Black Friday Color includes Download
Record Club Version, hand-numbered out of 300.

Barcodes

Barcode: 6 43157 42740 7
Matrix / Runout (Side A, Stamped): PIRATES PRESS GRAVE 103 A
Matrix / Runout (Side A, Stamped): PIRATES PRESS GRAVE 103 B
Matrix / Runout (Side B label): GRAVE103 B
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped): PIRATES PRESS - GRAVE103 A 112653E1/A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped): PIRATES PRESS - GRAVE103 B 112653E2/A
Barcode: 643157427384
Matrix / Runout: 377918 T503-1W6F *36717*
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LZ43
Mould SID Code: IFPI JB05
Barcode (Stickered): 6 43157 42815 2
Barcode (On jacket): 6 43157 42740 7
Matrix / Runout (Stamped Sides A & B): PIRATES PRESS
Barcode: 643157427391

About Xiu Xiu

Xiu Xiu (pronounced shoo shoo) is a US American post-punk band formed in San Jose, California in 2001. is the only constant member and its primary songwriter.

Real Name

Jamie Stewart

Name Vars

Xiu Xiu Field Recordings
Xiu Xiu Twin Peaks Live Ambient Shroud
Xiu-Xiu
Xiuxiu

Members

David Kendrick
Devin Hoff
Thor Harris
Zac Pennington
Miya Osaki
Ches Smith
Sam Mickens
Lauren Andrews
Jamie Stewart
Caralee McElroy
Shayna Dunkelman
Marc Riordan
Angela Seo

Summary by Amit Kooner

Nina is a powerful and moving tribute to one of the greatest singers of all time. Xiu Xiu's unique approach to the songs offers a fresh perspective on Simone's work, while also honoring her enduring legacy.