Search - Neko Case :: Blacklisted

Stunning

shambo | London | 07/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm usually pretty level-headed about artists and don't lapse into starry-eyed fandom. However, for Neko Case I make an exception.



This, my favourite of her albums is virtually perfect - superb songs, superb playing (Neko always seems to get together a band who sound like they've been playing together forever) and sound, unshowy arrangement and production that get the most out of the songs. A record I listen to time and time again.

"

A True Epic

J. Benoit | Baton Rouge, LA | 09/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've noticed that most Neko Case fans seem to agree that Blacklisted is her best record. Although Fox Confessor still stands as my favorite album of hers, Blacklisted runs a very close second, as is truly an epic album. This record is much darker than Fox Confessor, as Neko manages to pull together songs that allow the album to be more country and roots of the two. The album draws from the soulfulness of Dusty Springfield, as well as the sassiness of Loretta Lynn and jazzy feel of Patsy Cline, yet Neko manages to create an album that is entirely her own. It's easy to compare her work to that of other artists, but there really is nothing else quite like this album out there. Her voice soars over such instruments as a banjo, peddlesteel guitar, tenor guitar, and even strings on occasion, bringing a unique country noir to the record. Her lyricism, though a bit cryptic, is incredibly compelling, and proves her ability to be a top-notch songwriter.



From the moment I was thrown in the appalachian sound of "Things That Scare Me", I was captivated by Ms. Case's smoky vocals and haunting lyrics. The even more stunning, "Deep Red Bells" takes the album on a different ride, as the song depicts the dark story of murderer, suddenly twisting into a quick-paced country showdownin the bridge, and then changing back to the beginning as the song concludes. From here, the album turns fierce, with songs like "Lady Pilot", "Ghost Wiring", and title track, which showcase the captivating, americana elements in Neko's artistry. She also dives into such toe-tapping numbers as "Stinging Velvet" and "I Missed The Point", bringing the country spitfire that we all know and love. "I Wish I Was The Moon", an album highlight, is a moving song that seems almost otherwordly, as Neko croons flawlessly about being "so lonely" and "so tired". The album also turns soulful with two cover songs that include Ketty Lester's, "Look For Me (I'll Be Around", and Aretha Franklin's "Runnin' Out of Fools". The two songs truly showcase the versatility of her voice, as she takes it up a notch, completely defying the original versions of the songs.



The best thing about this album is that it stands alone as a complete work of art. It is a record that must be listened to as a whole, not merely in fragments, as is has been carefully and beautifully crafted as such. Even though Neko only gives us a small taste of the gorgeous "Outro With Bees" in the very beginning of the record, she returns to it in the very end with a slightly different take. "Outro With Bees (reprise)" is a more muffled version of the song that gives it the sound of perhaps playing on a record player. It's the perfect conclusion to the album.



Neko Case has truly put out a stunning record that is unlike anything I've ever heard. She doesn't seem to care that country music may be "uncool" to most indie rockers; she simply creates what she loves, and in doing so, she delivers some of the most incredible music I've ever heard. This album can convert even the snobbiest of listeners into lovers of country/americana. I just hope all people can appreciate this album for what it is - a true epic."