New Neko Case album "Hell-On" (June 1, 2018) *

Gotta love Neko Case’s comments on Autotune from about 12 years ago. She still regularly rails against it.

Neko Case | Pitchfork

 

I loved it. In fact, I think it was THE album of the year.

 

Thank you! I know we are in the minority on it, but I thought it was fantastic!

 

I'm going to have to give this another listen. Should I listen to a stand out track (which?), or sit down and give the entire album a listen?

 

Really? Well... I guess the fact that I wouldn't listen to either Lang or Veirs at home might have played a big part. I just expected something more in the vein of Case's albums.

 

Well, for one, this album is a case (no pun intended) of 3 different personalities contributing, so I'd listen to the whole thing. Neko Case's songs sound more like Neko, Lang's sound more croony and ballady, Veirs' sounds more folky. And each song sounds so different. The first track is the only one where they really share the focus. So citing one track would miss the influence of the others.

To Neonbeam, the three are stars in their way who have crossed over. Veirs is the one who gets the most boost in profile from the album, with Case and Lang having their audience. Lang, again, is the croony country balladeer with the tremendous pipes, Case is the crossover alt-country artist with the occasional punk attitude (though this shows off more of her alt-country side). Veirs is softer and more contemplative. It was an opportunity for Case and Veirs to work with Lang, one of their musical heroes.

I liked the album from the start, but it kept growing on me the more I heard it. And then I saw their tour when they stopped up in Lowell, MA. They, of course, played the album, but then they took turns doing their own stuff, and Case got a chance to let 'er rip. Lang brought down the house (she not only has an amazing set of pipes, but is also really charismatic). And Veirs was just very down to earth and sincere.

But if you want to check out just a few tracks to start, my favorites are:

Atomic Number, their trio opening number
Blue Fires, a KD Lang number
Delirium, a Neko Case number
Better Kept Secret, a Laura Veirs (but also check out Behind The Armory)

 

I’m a big fan of the album, but ‘Best Kept Secret’ is the weakest thing on there. ‘Blue Fires’ would be my pick as a way in.

 

Was kinda underwhelmed by the title track, but "Bad Luck" is much more promising.

 

"...jizzing saccharine all over you."

 

Best Kept Secret was the hit on the album, getting more airplay than any other song on broadcast lists. It's why I suggested it.

The rest is personal opinion.

 

Thanks all!

 

I wasn't blown away by the album, though IMO they saved the best for last:

 

Loving both pre-release songs a ton, especially "Bad Luck," and looking forward impatiently to June!

 

I would agree with @AnalogJ's suggestions for "starter" tracks, that being said, I find the Laura Veirs tracks to be the least interesting. I think that this album will continue to not be in my collection, though I will say that I enjoyed it more as I listened today as opposed to when it was first released.

Back to waiting for Hell-On to be released.

 

For those interested, headline dates have been announced:

Tour

 

I think Neko toured for several years after the release of her last album, so I’m sure this will be similar!

 

The shows I saw were probably 16 or 18 months apart, so let’s hope so! It would be fun to see her at several different venues again. As it is, I’m looking forward to walking into Chapel Hill on 9/14 for sure.

 

She has a way with words, doesn’t she?

 

She's a songwriter, after all.

 

It's been a while.

 

Coming from her, I'll take it.

 

New interview with Neko:

Neko Case on Her New Album, Her House Burning Down, and Her Futuristic Feminism | Pitchfork

 

Man, I had no idea the stuff she's had to deal with these last few years (well, I knew she was battling depression). Hope things are turning around for her.

 

Another great interview with Neko:

Neko Case on How Female Solidarity, Farm Animals and Beyoncé Inspired Her New Album

 

Another song has been released:

"Curse of the I-5 Corridor"