If “Neko Case” is shouted out during a game of word association, the response would probably be “New Pornographers”. The shadow of the Canadian supergroup has always loomed large over the singer/songwriter’s solo career, but the sheer artistry behind Fox Confessor Brings The Flood should signal a sunny new day for Neko Case. Joined by a cracker-jack troupe of musicians including Garth Hudson from The Band and Calexico’s Joey Burns, the sweet-voiced singer adds a bit of twang and smoke to her voice this time around to create a blend of country, folk and gospel-tinged blues.
What Case and her collaborators have wisely done on this, her latest outing, is showcase the singer’s stunning vocal work. Set off with echoes and beautiful harmonies on tracks like “Star Witness”, Fox Confessor is clearly an album made for music lovers. There are a few tracks that could make some headway on college-radio charts like “The Needle Has Landed” and “That Teenage Feeling”, but this disc plays best as a whole. It’s almost impossible to imagine the twisted tale of “Margaret Vs. Pauline” without the cool chill of “Star Witness” following right behind.
Along with other modern day ladies who sing and write their own tunes like Jenny Lewis and Martha Wainwright, Neko Case doesn’t shy away from the messier side of love. “Dirty Knife” with its refrain of “the blood runs crazy” is bound to set spines shivering when the dramatic music, bolstered by a cello and upright base, mix with the singer’s angelic vocals. “Lion’s Jaw” covers some of the same territory, but veers toward the smoky side, conjuring up images of dive bars and sad songs spinning away on ancient juke boxes.
Fox Confessor Brings The Flood is a great portrait of an artist growing by leaps and bounds. For Neko Case, the time is right and the sky is the limit! |