ShockHound

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  4 of 5

  
  

  Neko Case is a child of the '70s, a fact that's instantly apparent with just one listen to her somber, quixotic and undeniably excellent new solo album, MIDDLE CYCLONE. The spirit of that decade lives on in the poignant, heartbreaking folk of this fiery redhead and ex-New Pornographer. CYCLONE sees Neko employing everything from piano to strings in order to tell paint some painful portraits. On "People Got A Lotta Nerve," her smoky croon channels Steve Nicks, while the twisted narrative of "Polar Nettles" nods to Tom Waits, describing "the Sistine Chapel painted with a gattling gun." "Vengeance Is Sleeping" gives off the sort of self-loathing and loneliness that would resonate with Travis Bickle, but Neko's narrator rides the bus instead of driving a cab. Even though it's barely two minutes, "Next Time You Say Forever" packs a literal "punch" that's enough to knock out even the most callow of ex-boyfriends. Every lover that's done Neko wrong gets caught up in this acoustic whirlwind and can't get out. It's real girl power, and Patti Smith would be proud. One question remains. If she keeps making records this good, when will Neko reach solo superstardom? She probably won't give a shit if she does, though, and that's exactly why she deserves it. — Rick Florino

about 1 year ago

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