The first thing that will strike you about Blacklisted, or any musical project that Neko Case lends her talents to, is this woman's voice. Apparently untrained, Neko's vocals are absolutely stunning. Period. In fact, it was Neko's voice on one song of a mix tape that drew me to The New Pornographer's - one of her many projects - and their debut release Mass Romantic. When The New Pornographer's didn't feature Neko's vocals as often as I would have liked I began snatching up some of Neko's solo work.
Neko Case seems to be one of the darlings of Alt. Country and Blacklisted is definitely a country album. This isn't the country of Garth Brooks or Shania Twain though; this is modern country built on the solid roots of the likes of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Even if you aren't a country music fan, don't be scared. The twang is actually kept to a minimum and the instances of pedal steel and banjo are so sparse you probably won't notice. What you do get, in addition to Case's haunting voice, is an album packed full of midnight rambles that evoke a distinct mood of homesickness or something similar...little stabs of sadness and loss...feeling empty and just a little desperate for something to give.
Neko is joined on Blacklisted by longtime collaborators from The Sadies (Jon Rauhouse, Tom V. Ray, and Dallas Good), as well as notables from Calexico, Giant Sand, and more. However, unlike her previous albums, Neko has taken even more of an active role by writing most of the songs and providing a variety of instruments including guitars, piano, and drums. This approach leaves Neko in a much more vulnerable position, but she bares her soul for anyone who will listen. The lyrics here are positively vivid, and in combination with Neko's voice, is what creates such a perfect, delicately themed album.
Each track is superb, so choosing a few favorites is nearly impossible and not worth doing. Rest assured that Blacklisted will take you through a subtle range of sounds, from smoky bar numbers and sultry ballads to rolling melodies and dramatic songs of life on the road. All you could ever want in an album is here, including two cover songs that fit seamlessly into the soundscape (most notably Aretha Franklin's "Runnin Out of Fools"). Neko's passion for her craft is obvious and this is one album I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed in. This includes those who don't consider themselves fans of any kind of country music. If this is the direction that her music takes when she takes a more active role in its creation, I cannot wait to hear her next release. You'll kick yourself for not discovering Neko Case sooner. I know I am.
Track Listing:
Things That Scare Me
Deep Red Bells
With Bees
Lady Pilot
Tightly
Look For Me (I'll Be Around)
Stinging Velvet
Pretty Girls
I Missed the Point
Blacklisted
I Wish I Was the Moon
Runnin Out of Fools
Ghost Writing
Untitled
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