Neko Case
The Tigers Have Spoken
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Neko Case
The Tigers Have Spoken
Anti-, 2004
RiYL: Carolyn Mark, Kelly Hogan, Wilco |
Neko has released three solo albums, an EP, a live record with labelmate Carolyn Mark and two albums with the New Pornographers, and has appeared on umpteen tribute collections -- all in the space of six years. At times she makes the ubiquituous Jeff Tweedy seem like a recluse.
Since her spotty 1998 debut The Virginian, Case has drawn rave reviews for her biting, dark songs, hard work and, most notably, a haunting, pure voice that can soar as high as the redwoods. At first her voice was all she had, as her songwriting took a few albums to develop. The Virginian was a bit ramshackle and her 2000 follow-up, Furnace Room Lullaby, while a marked improvement, still had its weak moments.
All expectations were smashed, though, with 2002's Blacklisted, an album featuring almost entirely original tunes that left a deep welt on anyone who listened. A dark, slow record, Blacklisted saw Case's songwriting improve tenfold, and her voice, well, you know she's got a hell of a voice.
For her biggest fans, Blacklisted finally was testament that their girl could write an album that matched her live shows, which are usually something to behold. If it weren't for that voice, most concertgoers would probably confuse her for the roadie or guitar tech, as she serves as her own on tour. Taking the stage with a casual confidence, Case can generally knock a crowd out after belting a few notes.
(There are exceptions to every rule, though, as Case gave perhaps one of her worst performances this past summer in D.C. She sounded great, but played a short set marred by technical difficulties. Of course, had it not been for the equipment problems, her hour-and-a-half show would've wrapped up in about 57 minutes. But I digress…)
So it's been about two years since our last proper Neko Case album, but in that time she's not exactly been lazy. As mentioned above, she tours relentlessly and, as of late, has been test-driving new material. And this is where her newest release, the live The Tigers Have Spoken, comes in.
Clearly someone who tours as much as Neko probably has a treasure trove of live bootlegs, but Tigers is a bit of a risky live album, if there is such a thing. Generally live albums are placeholders (like just about every such Rolling Stones set), contractual obligations or a last effort to cash on in a legacy (see the Clash's awesome Live: From Here To Eternity).
But Tigers is a bit different, as it's not a faux-greatest hits collection but rather an honest replication of her upbeat-yet-experimental nature. As strong as Blacklisted is, it's never going to win any awards for its optimism. Tigers, while it has its serious moments, is a more joyous listen.
Tigers is a collection of tunes recorded in Toronto and Chicago with a mix of talent, including Carolyn Mark, Kelly Hogan, and the Sadies. Except for "Blacklisted" and "Favorite," the songs are all available here for the first time. Two are brand new -- the opener "If You Knew" and "The Tigers Have Spoken" -- but the record mainly draws from the past.
"If You Knew" and "Tigers" are decent tracks, her first true rockers since Furnace Room Lullaby, but her covers clearly stand out. Helped mightily by her supporting cast, Neko's takes on Buffy St. Marie's "Soulful Shade Of Blue" and "Rated X" by Loretta Lynn are spectacular. Her harmonies with Mark and Hogan on both are terrific and make this reviewer wish there were live albums of the trio's brief run of 2003 shows floating around.
Tigers reaches its apex, though, on three tunes -- "Hex," "Train From Kansas City" and "This Little Light," a folk-punk update on the gospel tune Case performed with Mark on 2001's The Corn Sisters. Interestingly, Case takes a backseat on "This Little Light" as her backing band the Sadies clearly dominates the song.
The album closes with a strong yet typical interpretation of the old standard "Wayfaring Stranger." Again, though, Case's strong vocals are aided immensely by the harmonies. While a terrific listen, it is fairly a standard rendition of the tune. At some point, the listener wishes Case would pull an Eva Cassidy and truly rock out.
Tigers does nothing to diminish Neko's growing reputation as one of the stronger crooners around, but this reviewer has a bit of a bone to pick. Perhaps it was witnessing the aforementioned trainwreck in D.C., or maybe it is reading a glowing review of that show in the Washington Post that totally glossed over her technical issues and almost non-existent set list. But Neko has apparently fallen into the category of artists that cannot be criticized.
Along with Jeff Tweedy's Wilco, I'm not sure I've read a critical review of any show or album Neko has released in about four years. Look, I'm a big fan of both Neko and Wilco, but sometimes I think some critics forget that these people are human.
Hey, I know I'm not necessarily one to talk, as I tend to hand out generous reviews like candy. But even in my most glowing reviews, I point out a few constructive criticisms; it's not that I feel obligated to balance the positive with a negative, I just think there are times to call a spade a spade. And her performance in D.C. last summer was, indeed, a spade.
Let's just remember that Neko is still developing as a songwriter. She may be growing at a fairly rapid pace, but she is human and will make mistakes. To gloss over them is irresponsible, even if she could write circles around me and most other writers out there today. Anyway, just had to get that off my chest…
RODEO ROB | An expert on all things "alt," Rob spends his days covering the energy industry and his nights covering the DC-area bars. Raise yer glass especially high to this man, for he has contributed to this site constantly since its creation four years ago.