Albums by this artist

Waiting in Egypt/Bible Belt (2001)

Nikki Sudden

Waiting in Egypt/Bible Belt

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

Nikki Sudden Waiting in Egypt/Bible Belt Secretly Canadian, 2001 RiYL: Swell Maps, Robyn Hitchcock, Epic Soundtracks

It took me about five minutes of listening to Nikki Sudden's Waiting in Egypt/Bible Belt in my local record store to decide that I wanted a copy. Formerly of the Swell Maps, it appears that Sudden's prolific post-band catalogue has been rediscovered by Secretly Canadian Records, who re-issued four of Sudden's records (as two double CDs) in 2001. Waiting in Egypt/Bible Belt includes the two records -- which were originally released in 1982 and 1983 -- as well as 11 bonus tracks.

Waiting in Egypt is the harder, more urban-rock record, filled with hooky electric guitar rockers ("Channel Steamer") and gritty garage arrangements ("Fashion Cult" and "New York"). In contrast, Bible Belt is a more carefree -- and less cacophonous -- record, filled with humorous tracks like the harmonica-infused, Shane MacGowan sound-alikes "English Girls" and "Bethlehem Castle," the lovely ballad (featuring female vocals) "Chelsea Embankment" and the enjoyably funky "Six Hip Princes." All in all, the two discs serve simultaneously as foils and complements to one another. And through their pairing, Nikki Sudden has revealed himself capable of being both the folksy troubadour the multi-faceted rocker.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.