The Bottom Line
According to her record company's press release, the objective of this record was to explore "how fairy tales were born." There's no better songwriter to tackle fairy tales than Case, and she does a fine job on these mostly Russian folk tales.
Pros
- "That Teenage Feeling"
- "John Saw That Number"
- "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood"
- "Maybe Sparrow"
Cons
- More of the same.
Description
- An impressive musical interpretation of old folk fairy tales
- Neko Case at her lyrical best
- More luscious, gut-wrenching melodies from a truly gifted songwriter
Guide Review - Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
As usual, Neko's lyrics are fantastically, abstractly poetic; but not in a Tori Amos-type of scratch-your-head way. When she says she wants "That Teenage Feeling," you actually understand what she means. When, in "Margaret Vs. Pauline," she comments that Margaret has "parking lot eyes," suddenly teenagers in New Jersey come to mind. Or maybe that's just me.The title track is a scalding song about betrayal and utter disappointment, with slasher lines like, "you ... weep in wonder when the death of your civilization preceeds you."
As usual, Case explores various musical styles, not wasting time feeling confined by the alt.country label under which she's so often lumped. With "John Saw That Number," she tackles old time gospel; then, in the next breath, she attacks a Townes Van Zandt-style dark folk number on "Dirty Knife," which incorporates a gypsy-style hook.
Aesthetically, Fox Confessor offers few diversions from Case's typical sound. The absolutely tight instrumentation is on par with her previous records. Conceptually and lyrically, however, the record shines a light on new, incredible strides by this outstanding artist. It would be a great introduction to Neko Case's work, or a much-appreciated, long-awaited follow-up to 2004's The Tigers Have Spoken for dedicated fans.
Listen/Download Fox Confessor
