My own best of Neko Case list prior to the release of her new album

So, we are on the verge of another record from Neko Case. It's been a long a while since the release of Middle Cyclone.  Four years to be exact. Where has Neko been hiding herself?  I hope there's a wealth of great new material on this new album since it's been ages. 

The first song "Man" is way more rock infused than her usual alt country sound.  No complaints here but I will say it doesn't showcase her amazing voice like her more soulful country songs.  Still an awesome song and I've played it countless times from YouTube.

Let's start with her first album The Virginian.  Right out of the gate you knew you were in for a long lasting talent in a business cluttered with pretenders. There are playful moments like "Bowling Green" and then there's the title song "The Virginian" that felt like a missing song from a David Lynch film.  It's haunting and soulful at the same time.  And damn, that voice.  You really get a good taste of how powerful her vocals can be.

Then there came Furnace Room Lullaby in 2000.  To be honest, at this point I was still unaware of Neko Case.  Anyhow, in my humble opinion this is her second best album.   Maybe it's the really country side of this LP that makes it feel so soulful and homegrown to me.  It's hard to pick a favorite from such an awesome album but if I was forced to say which one I always go back to is "South Tacoma Bay."  Her voices paints this sad story with so much power you can't even sing along but just sit and listen. 

Blacklisted came out in 2002 and that's when I first discovered Neko and shortly after caught her live.  And truly one of the greatest voices I've ever witnessed live.  She effortlessly booms.  She barely takes a breath before belting out the next line.  Wow.  If you haven't seen Neko live, you are missing out on one of the greatest musical performers EVER.  Seriously, she's that amazing. 

Anyhow, let's talk about Blacklisted.  This album in my opinion is one of the best of that decade hands down.  It's so lush and her voice just comes out like an unshielded force of nature.  The best example of her really test driving that insane voice of hers is "Deep Red Bells."  What an amazing song.  This is on my personal list of top 100 best songs ever.  I can listen to this song anytime and in any mood. And it's a perfect summer song.  Get this album if you don't own it already. 

A lot of people might know Blacklisted and Neko from her song "I Wish I Was The Moon" from the show True Blood.  Whatever works for people to discover her is a good thing in my book.  I thought to attach a live version of the song to show you what I mean by an unbelievable live vocalist.   There's no faking the talent.

I'm jumping one album ahead for the next track to put on this list.  "The Needles Has Landed" appears on Fox Confessor Brings The Flood.  I guess I'm a fan of Neko's quieter moments on her albums.  When she slows down on albums is where I really think she shines.  On this album, Neko finally started cracking the surface of being noticed.  The production is a bit more layered but Neko always finds away to make it seem intimated and personal.

Middle Cyclone was Neko's last album and probably her highest level of production.  They actually made a fun animated video for the song "People Gotta A Lotta of Nerve."   Where most musicians tend to run long, Neko makes her music super tight.  I wonder if this song has any relations to the book "Rust And Bone" with the killer whale reference? 

There's plenty more songs to post but I wanted to just put up a quick look at the career of one of the most talented artist in the music scene today.   I'm really excited to hear her live soon and get the new album which comes out on September 3rd.  Neko, you're a once in a lifetime talent and don't stop making music.