Neko Case

[donald]

Maybe I've mentioned this artist before.  Maybe not.  Either way, if you haven't heard her you must.

Go to the following link and you can hear two cuts from her most recent album.  Pay special attention to Star Witness....my favorite.  I can't recall when I last heard anything so fresh, new, and just plain tasty.

Enjoy

http://www.nekocase.com/music/2006/02/fox_confessor_brings_the_flood.html#more

[Roger Ryan]

...And if you're a fan of Neko Case, you really should be listening to The New Pornographers, the band she contributes some lead and background vocals to. Their three studio albums contain the most consistently great pop/rock material of 21st Century so far.

[donald]

Which of those albums would have the most Neko bang for my buck?

[Roger Ryan]

The third and most recent album, "Twin Cinema", is the most varied of the three and the one to feature the most Case vocals as far as I can tell. Her leads on "The Bones Of An Idol" and "These Are The Fables" are quite good. Keep in mind that Case doesn't write for the band; the majority of the material is written by leader A.C. Newman with some contributions by Dan Bejar (who does his own solo thing as well under the moniker "Destroyer"). The sound is melodic psychedelic pop with great hooks and a Nuggets/Beatles/Beach Boys/Who influence, so there is almost none of the country/folk vibe one might enjoy on Case's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" album. All the same, her vocals for the New Pornographers is a crucial ingredient that really makes their tracks shine. For a good example of this, check out the videos for "The Laws Have Changed" or "All For Swinging You Around" (both from the second album) in the video section of www.thenewpornographers.com.

[donald]

Thanks Roger.  While I find Neko's lyrics entertainig, challenging at times, and the production/sound  on Fox Confessor almost haunting, its her VOICE that just kills me.  So I' think I'll look for that third album by the band, twin cinema.

[donald]

Gotta say a little more about this artist and her newest album.   The more I listen, and I just listened again, the more I love it.  I am moved, touched by this music.  If you miss this album, you've missed one of the best albums in years.  The poetry, the voice, the music (Garth Hudson on keyboards for example) come together in an inexplicably haunting melodic way.  Apparently I'm not alone in describing it this way, as some reviewers have described it similarly.   One reviewer said "if this isn't album of the year material I don't know what is".

And I think this album will touch all demographics from fans of New Pornographers to fans of the Byrds and Mamas and Papas. 

[the captain]

...The New Pornographers.. Their three studio albums contain the most consistently great pop/rock material of 21st Century so far.

I agree that they're good, but wow, that seems like hyperbole to me. They're good, but I wouldn't rank them above Belle & Sebastian's 21st century output, or Of Montreal's, or the Shins', or Beachwood Sparks', or Voxtrot's, or Bill Ricchini's or even Rogue Wave's. And that's just staying around that same basic subgenre.

I saw New Pornographers open for B&S on their Life Pursuit tour several months ago, and I have to say, it was obvious who the better band was that night (and I think that's the case on record, too).

[donald]

Has Neko Case surpassed and outgrown her old bands?  Frankly, I've not heard music or lyrics like the new album from anyone in a long time.  I might be reminded of some of Dylan's more personal work such as Blood on the Tracks.  Its that good.

[Roger Ryan]

Well, it's a matter of taste, right? For me, Belle & Sebastian and The Shins are a little more from the wispy, emotional side of pop whereas I probably prefer a faster, harder-edged psychedelic sound, so the NPs suit me better. I kind of intended my earlier statement to be hyperbolic anyway! The important thing is that these bands are out there and can thrive to a certain extent without major label support; they're definitely further under the radar (out of the mainstream) than bands with similar aesthetics back in the 80s or, especially, the 60s.

As for Neko, she has kept her solo career separate from the NPs (she rarely even performs shows with the band). I agree "Fox Confessor..." is lovely (it's a favorite of my son's) and it's a different animal (pun obviously intended) than the NP albums she "guests" on, but when it comes to good pop/rock music, more is better!

[donald]

Roger, very nice post.   A lot of the bands and artists  flying under the radar and without support of major labels are my favorites these days.  Have you heard of NPR's Mountain Stage?  It's a showcase for indie artists and Adult Alt music. I live in driving distance of the shows home venue.  You can check it out at 

www.mountainstage.org. 

They list stations and times of broadcasts accross the USA.

The guest roster over the years has been amazing.