Artist: Neko Case and her Boyfriends
Album: Furnace room lullaby
Label: Bloodshot Records
Year: 2007
Reviewed by: Woodstock Slim
Of course I will only review Neko Case on Bloodshot Records and leave the rest to who ever may return. Sounding like Lucinda Williams or Emmylou Harris Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn,and
Patsy Cline. I must admit I didn't get going until 'Mood to burn bridges' way down into track four. Sounded pretty generic good-stuff in a good-stuff way and she didn't do anything the above mentioned greats hasn't done so I copied it into my media library and deleted the first three songs and now the album starts at track four and I love it that way. Do not know who or why they were put there, maybe they are even good songs too?, I guess. I found it misleading and if this was in the old days, we used to listen to records in the record shops with head phones and usually hopped the first few tracks before you bought it, I would have missed this great album, this great artist, as I have no other Neko in my collection. So... cut the crap we've heard before, yes?
'Twist the knife' does just that and Neko asked to be left with the check and will pay with the rest of her life and the song collapses in the arms of a screechy guitar that sounds like a beautiful storm out by the ocean. Lovely.
I never mention this kind of arb stuff but the album art is somewhat disturbing and unsettling. the booklet especially, urgggg! Her website is sweet and warm and has great diary entries and are very personal in places and you feel you get to know her a little in places.
Neko was born in Alexandria, VA and grew up all over North America, spending enough time in Tacoma, WA to consider it her hometown. When she was 18 and already on her own, she began playing drums in several punk rock bands including Cub and Vancouver trio Maow.
It was during her days as a drummer that she made her first forays into songwriting, and then to singing. Once she started, she couldn't stop.
Since then, Neko has been hard at work, touring non-stop in her van, the Ultra-Beaver. She is not simply a solo artist; she dives into any opportunity to work with other musicians. Among her other projects is the beautiful old-time country she sings with Carolyn Mark as the Corn Sisters. She also records and performs as one of The New Pornographers and has lent her considerable talents to projects with The Sadies, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), Jon Rauhouse
and many others.
