With five solo albums already under her belt, singer-songwriter Neko Case has established herself as a permanent institution in the alternative-country genre. But with her newest album, Middle Cyclone, she experiments with pop (albeit with a twangy twist) and indie rock. With a powerful set of lungs, unusual instrumentals and an eight-piano orchestra found on Craigslist, Case is out to prove she is not confined to just one category.
Known for her collaborations with other alternative artists, Case does not disappoint on this album. The New Pornographers, Los Lobos, Calexico and M.Ward all make appearances on Middle Cyclone. Also included are covers of Sparks’ “Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth” and Harry Nilssons’ “Don’t Forget Me.” On the latter, Case’s rich voice perfectly captures the sadness and sentimentality of a breakup, bringing a new vulnerability while still retaining the old Western feel.
Case’s 2007 album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, her most successful album to date, began the theme of nature that is continued in Middle Cyclone. The new album begins with “This Tornado Loves You,” a fast-paced whirlwind melody that parallels a tornado and a woman without her lover — out of control and unpredictable. Church organ chords and a military-like drumbeat on “I’m an Animal” set up the confidence Case displays as she sings, “I’m an animal/ You’re an animal too.” In the other tracks, Case croons about birds chirping at sunrise and the impressive memory of elephants, continuing the naturalistic theme.
The title track is a soothing ballad accompanied only by acoustic guitar strums and the occasional twinkling melody of a music box. Case’s voice is husky but pure as she laments, “Can’t give up actin’ tough/ It’s all that I’m made of/ Can’t scrape together quite enough/ To ride the bus to the outskirts/ Of the fact that I need love.” Wearing her heart on her sleeve is not something Case usually does, but on this track she softly murmurs feelings of loneliness.
Most likely to be commercial radio-worthy is the pop-infused, sing-able “People Got a Lotta Nerve.” Although there is nothing unusual about the indie-rock melody, Case’s commanding voice shines through as she characterizes herself as a killer whale that corners its victims and savagely rips them apart. Case sings, “I’m a man eater/ But still you’re surprised when I eat ya,” in a you-should’ve-known-better tone. Once again she portrays herself as a natural being but this time with a more dangerous quality that makes you feel like she could devour you at any moment.
At times, Case indulges her quirky side a little too much. The last track of the album, “Marais la nuit” (French for “the night marsh”) was recorded one night by a pond and consists of over a half hour of cricket chirping. Seriously. While it is a meditative conclusion to an album all about nature, five minutes would probably have sufficed.
Middle Cyclone will appease the faithful fan base that has loved Neko Case ever since she burst onto the alternative music scene. But it is also a step above her previous work and demonstrates her fluidity. By twisting and turning through several different genres and surprising instrumentals, Middle Cyclone is truly a force of nature.
