Search - Neko Case :: Middle Cyclone

2009 recording of the year.

fiftysomething | Southwest | 01/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can clearly understand how one of the earlier reviewers said this record was hard to get your arms around. I sort of liked this record for the first 4 months that I listened to it. Then I gave it a rest and over the last 2 months I have not been able to stop listening to it. At first I felt that the melodies were kind of nice but was a bit disappointed that the songs did not have very deep refrains. So it took me awhile...but it is now like listening to a new record. This is a real nice recording. My choice hands down for record of the year 2009. Lyrics, melodies, it is all here."

Middle of the Road

Tin Tan | Chicago, IL | 02/11/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely worth a listen, but... I played the album through three times and it just didn't reach me. I like stuff I've heard by the artist, she's a folk rocker that has that authentic county music gutsy-ness (definitely wouldn't call her a country singer, though). Maybe she's reaching for a wider audience? ("I'm a man- man- maneater/But you're still surprised when I eat you." Catchy, but awkward- shades of "You're so vain, you prob'ly think this song is about you.") Middle Cyclone was nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary Folk Album, and maybe it's that word "contemporary" that makes me uncomfortable. I definitely recommend the somewhat folky-er and similarly-themed Heart of My Own, by Basia Bulat."

A worthy investment of time.

Harkanwar Anand | New York, New York | 03/20/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It took me a while to adapt to this album but now that I've been listening to just this for the past four days, I can tell you that the whole album is like any other major trip. The sound is not as contemporary as I initially took it to but the artist has an amazing voice and the music production only makes it sounds like she knows what she is doing. DO NOT be mistaken by the album cover. Neko Case sounds like she was meant to do just this. The album perfectly syncs with my early morning loneliness and is also a great listen during times of irritability.





Can I now talk about some songs that moved me? Tornado Loves You is a bold opener and gives one no idea about what's going to happen next. Track 2 is riveting, her voice sounds like an epiphany and the storytelling is beautiful. Another favourite of mine is Polar Nettles because it holds you by the throat from the very first second.



MIDDLE CYCLONE requires compulsive listening and because of just how varied and charming each and every track seems, the album requires a lot of devotion which many a listener will thankfully give in to.



Although this album reminds me a lot of Extraordinary Machine, I have to say it I like it more than Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine. The title track, Middle Cyclone, is absolutely beautiful. A rhythmic mixture of acoustic blues with some twilight hope and heavenly vocals with meaningful lyrics....a music listener's dream.











I would have given this album five stars but it would be a little contrived to do so within four to five days of addiction to it. Do not be fooled by the album cover, Neko Case is no Lady Gaga and I thank mother earth for that. The music is thoughtful, moving, passionate, the lyrics are tearjerking at times while uplifting all the time. Albums of such caliber is hard to find and Neko Case has a fan for life in me."