NEKO CASE
Blacklisted (Mint/Bloodshot)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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The difficult "serious" album proves to be not so difficult after all. Perhaps it's touring with Nick Cave, perhaps it's just time, whatever, the fact is that Neko Case has forgone her usual sass and frivolity and made a record to ponder, rather than dance to. The haymaker whammy of her previous country swingers is all gone, in favour of the haunting rhythm section of Giant Sand (with Howe Gelb along for a coupla rides to boot), and the equally haunting string work of the Sadies' Dallas Good. This dark slab takes a while to settle into, but the effort is well worth it. After hiding behind a carefree country persona, Case steps up to reveal her bare soul, and the results are startling.

© 2002 - John Sekerka