Neko Case & Her Boyfriends
"Furnace Room Lullaby"
(Bloodshot)
I met Neko Case two or three years ago in the back of Brownies on Avenue A in NYC at Bloodshot Records' annual BBQ, which is part of the CMJ Music Marathon. I was having a good laugh with her and Ms. Kelly Hogan (who happened to be working for Bloodshot Records at the time). After Neko walked off Kelly told me that Case was one of the best singers she had heard in quite awhile. Now I don't know the details but I have a strong feeling that Kelly Hogan played a big part in getting Neko Case a recording contract with Bloodshot. Good for her and good for us too. In case you weren't paying attention, country-rock is alive and well and living in Vancouver. That's where Neko Case (& Her Boyfriends) resides. Our girl from the north has been touring bars and roadsides all over this continent for several years now and her brand of high-lonesome corn pone is invigorated by a bracing, expressive voice. While her lovesick warble can sometimes recall a young Dolly Parton or a punk-fueled Brenda Lee, Ms. Case is a straightforward singer-songwriter with an energetic perspective on contemporary heartbreak. When you get down to it, "Furnace Room Lullaby" (much like Case's excellent debut, "The Virginian") takes a deceptively simple position; love stinks. While her sophomore effort is a more than a little jaded, Case seems ready for romance in spite of herself. She knows better and her heart's been through the ringer, yet here she is again. A guest appearance by fellow Canadian Ron Sexsmith is simply overshadowed by Neko's powerful persona. Accompanied by musicians from Freakwater and her labelmates, The Sadies, Case blazes through twelve original compositions with plenty of verve and a whole lot of country style. One could always hear tradition in Neko Case's music. Now it's time to listen to her song. Now all we have to do is wait for Neko and Kelly Hogan to make an album together.
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.