Foxy Lady

March 6, 2006

Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Neko Case

Available March 7th, 2006

Neko Case’s fourth studio record is arguably her finest country noir record, mesmerizing in its dark corners. It’s also her richest sounding record, with flourishes of soul and pop that keep it just a little livelier than her previous dirgey efforts.

“Hold On, Hold On” may be her strongest track, with Ennio Morricone guitars providing an epic backdrop for Case’s sweeping vocals. “That Teenage Feeling” feels like a 50s standard, and “John Saw The Number” feels even older. “Lions Jaws” has Case doing her own take on White Girl soul (take that Jenny Lewis and Cat Power) while “Maybe Sparrow” finds her blowing out the pipes, cutting loose in the final minute. The songwriting is bizarrely constructed at times, but Case’s voice is unmatched by her peers, and it adeptly navigates the listener through some unconventional arrangements.

When Case fronts the New Pornographers, she is the biggest and baddest vocalist around, louder and clearer than every instrument in their cacophony. Her solo records are a different affair, where her talents for nuance and texture come to the fore. Fox Confessor isn’t for everyone, but I found these mysterious stories of love and death to be spellbinding.

Neko Case will be appearing at Amoeba Records, Hollywood on March 8th and The Tonight Show on March 9th.

Download:
“Star Witness” (mp3)
“Hold On, Hold On” (mp3)

Posted in From Blown Speakers