Neko Case: Middle Cyclone

I know you shouldn’t judge a book (or an album come to that), by its cover, but I was immediately drawn by the Tarrantino style imagery on the front cover of “Middle Cyclone”. If the sword wielding Neko Case atop the bonnet of a rather nice muscle car was sufficient to draw me in, it’s musical content was enough to keep me coming back for more.

Although Miss Case is probably normally catalogued under alternative country, she defies the restrictions of that particular genre. Her tenor vocals are commanding and although there’s evidence of the good old-fashioned country and western in here, this album is vastly more sophisticated and contemporary than that label implies.

The album also features a few cameo appearances by the likes of: M. Ward from Calexico, Steve Berlin from Los Lobos and Garth Hudson from the Band, all of which must add to the mixing pot.