Listen: Neko Case - "Man"

I won't pretend to be the biggest fan of Neko Case. In fact I haven't all that much attention to her solo career knowing her most notably as one of the all star members of The New Pornographers and her subtly spectacular guest spot on The Dodos' No Color and yet when her latest single "Man" from her upcoming album The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, I found myself intrigued. Not only because the title had a very Fiona Apple rambling air about it. I had essentially put off checking out Neko Case's solo material for years and I planned on righting this wrong immediately.

Though I had really only spent time with Middle Cyclone, in "Man" I could instantly see her appeal and what fans would surely be clamoring more for on the upcoming album. "Man" continues Case's shifting gender focus and manages to avoid what you might write off as just a silly schtick by actually being pretty damn good. That's not to say there's anything comedic about Case writing/singing from a male point of view, rather it'd be easy to pass up if described to you by someone who has no idea what's going on here. Featuring the tasteful guitar talents of M. Ward, the track is a rollicking rock jam with just the right ounce of ear-catching pop mastery to ensure it stays in your head from now until forever after hearing it. It's highly enjoyable, simple as that.



So, clearly I've made a huge mistake. Neko Case's solo output is not to be ignored because it's far better than any/all of her collaborations. Case engages in interesting concepts and masterful melodic play and now I feel damn ashamed I hadn't listened to her sooner. Here's hoping actually listening to The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You when it actually comes out with redeem me somewhat. With the album out September 3rd on ANTI-, I have plenty of time to listen to her whole back catalog and if you haven't, you should too. You won't regret it, I assure you.

The Dodos - No Color (2011)

Beginning with "Black Night", No Color marks The Dodos triumphant return to percussive reliant folk-inspired rock duo. It's surprising how full a song can sound with only two band members and yet The Dodos use every tool at their disposal to create a incredibly diverse sonic palette. No Color is definitely an album worthy of multiple listens. Each track on its first listen seems rather simplistic but is anything but. Repeat listens reveal a little more into the surprisingly complex composition of No Color's song. It's obvious the duo have learned many valuable lessons from previous album Time to Die, keeping in infectiously memorable and aurally pleasing melodic lines afforded them by vibraphonist Keaton Synder previous stint in the band. "Going Under" is the first instance that Neko Case shows up on vocals. I was curious how Case was going to factor into the equation and she's used to wonderfully marvelous effect. She's far from overpowering, allowing the duo's album to remain their own, but her presence is definitely noticed.

No Color crackles with an almost overwhelming amount of energy, at no point letting up. The Dodos are in full control, using their talents with remarkable precision. The album is a technical masterpiece, yet at no point does it seem like it and that is perhaps the band's greatest strength. The rather complex nature of their songs are downplayed by a jam-like aura which make it widely accessible.

No Color is out next week (March 15th) but you can listen to the full streaming album here and pre-order the album at their website here.