listen now!http://www.npr.org/2013/08/18/210215544/first-listen-neko-case-the-worse-things-get-the-harder-i-fight#playlist
― Mordy , Monday, 19 August 2013 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
do we have to?
― nostormo, Monday, 19 August 2013 21:21 (eleven years ago) link
listening now.
it's ok. not overwhelming. not underwhelming.pretty much as one might except from a Neko Case record to be.
― nostormo, Monday, 19 August 2013 21:30 (eleven years ago) link
I find it to be quite superb.
― Van Horn Street, Tuesday, 20 August 2013 20:25 (eleven years ago) link
Only one listen in, of course, but so far I'm liking the bonus tracks (a cover of Robyn Hitchcock's "Madonna of the Wasps," an almost bluegrass-y take on Middle Cyclone's "Magpie to the Morning") on the "deluxe" edition better than the album proper!
― the vineyards where the grapes of corporate rock are stored (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 3 September 2013 20:38 (eleven years ago) link
"city swan" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Tuesday, 3 September 2013 20:42 (eleven years ago) link
Man's probably my song of the year so far, not that my opinions on music are reflective of a stable or reasonable mindset.
― kaleb, Tuesday, 3 September 2013 21:24 (eleven years ago) link
I like the vibe of this a lot, but I wish Neko offered more memorable melodies in her delivery. Sort of like Morrissey, she seems stuck in this one mode, which is by no means a bad mode, but one listen in and that's what it seems it's missing, strong vocal melodies (she obviously has strong vocals covered, of course). Maybe it'll start hooking me soon. And if this reads negative, it's not really meant to be. I'd already recommend this to anyone. Just an observation.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 3 September 2013 23:19 (eleven years ago) link
it's a little bit more uneven in its attack than fox confessor or middle cyclone; after every high energy moment there's a huge scaling back and it makes the record feel a little aimless, lacking build. regardless i love a lot of the songs on here, "ragtime" might be my favorite of her closers yet
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Tuesday, 3 September 2013 23:22 (eleven years ago) link
So far, bonus tracks aside, I really like the "I'm From Nowhere" to "Calling Cards" sequence.
― the vineyards where the grapes of corporate rock are stored (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 3 September 2013 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
is that m ward singing on the hitchcock cover? kinda wish it was just neko... good choice of song though!
― tylerw, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 14:30 (eleven years ago) link
I like the vibe of this a lot, but I wish Neko offered more memorable melodies in her delivery
^^^^this
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 18:05 (eleven years ago) link
"Nearly Midnight, Honolulu" kind of reminds me of the Mountain Goats, and not just because of the Darnielle-esque title.
― the vineyards where the grapes of corporate rock are stored (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 18:07 (eleven years ago) link
wow the robyn hitchcock cover took me by surprise
but yeah agree it's not as immediate as most neko albums
― My Little Pono (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 22:05 (eleven years ago) link
Who is the male singing with Neko on "Madonna of the Wasps?" The cover is really good.
― van smack, Sunday, 8 September 2013 02:19 (eleven years ago) link
that is m. ward
― mookieproof, Sunday, 8 September 2013 02:36 (eleven years ago) link
Neko was a panelist on this week's wait wait don't tell me.
― mizzell, Sunday, 8 September 2013 06:14 (eleven years ago) link
For those interested, Starbucks has an exclusive version with three bonus tracks.
Just picked it up this afternoon.
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Friday, 20 September 2013 21:52 (eleven years ago) link
And they are...?
― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 20 September 2013 21:55 (eleven years ago) link
13. Madonna of the Wasps14. Magpie to the Morning15. Yon Ferrets Return
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Friday, 20 September 2013 22:10 (eleven years ago) link
Ah, those on the regular "Special Edition" too. Does the Starbucks one come bound like a book as well?
― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 20 September 2013 22:12 (eleven years ago) link
Apparently those tracks are also on the iTunes deluxe edition as well. I guess they are exclusive on CD for Starbucks?
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Friday, 20 September 2013 22:14 (eleven years ago) link
Those tracks are on Spotify too.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 20 September 2013 22:20 (eleven years ago) link
...and Rdio.
― the vineyards where the grapes of corporate rock are stored (cryptosicko), Friday, 20 September 2013 23:03 (eleven years ago) link
the bonus tracks are worth the extra couple of bucks
― Nhex, Friday, 20 September 2013 23:55 (eleven years ago) link
that cover in particular is great, though i really like the live Magpie too
Ah, those on the regular "Special Edition" too. Does the Starbucks one come bound like a book as well?― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, September 20, 2013 10:12 PM (Yesterday)
Nope. Rushed to Starbucks for the "exclusive", only to see the booklet version at Easy Street the next day for $4 more. Sad face.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Saturday, 21 September 2013 00:58 (eleven years ago) link
I may be in the minority but most of these tunes aren't memorable, which was not the case at all with the last one.
― first I think it's time I kick a little verse! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 21 September 2013 00:59 (eleven years ago) link
I like the new album, though not as much as Middle Cyclone, which in my eyes stands as her best.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, 21 September 2013 03:19 (eleven years ago) link
I think the Starbucks one is normally priced... Only $12.95.Aren't deluxe editions usually more?
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Saturday, 21 September 2013 22:58 (eleven years ago) link
You can get the deluxe direct from her website for $13. I myself went to my local indie shop and got hosed. OTOH they threw in a poster.
― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 21 September 2013 23:17 (eleven years ago) link
nice robyn hitchcock cover
― akm, Sunday, 22 September 2013 22:15 (ten years ago) link
Not keen on M Ward's contributions, though.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 23 September 2013 01:07 (ten years ago) link
Join Neko on Halloween at 2pm EST for a live performance at NPR Music's Tiny Desk. Although she hasn't revealed what her costume will be, Neko has promised a reveal worthy of the occasion!
― Mordy , Wednesday, 30 October 2013 19:20 (ten years ago) link
don't think the new one is her best work, but wow "Calling Cards" is something else.
― tylerw, Thursday, 12 December 2013 22:44 (ten years ago) link
thought of u when I realized she covers Nico's "Afraid" on this one
― sleeve, Thursday, 12 December 2013 22:58 (ten years ago) link
yeah that is good too! i don't know, it's a good record (that I'm really just getting around to) but maybe a little bit business as usual?
― tylerw, Thursday, 12 December 2013 22:59 (ten years ago) link
I agree it's probably not her best work but the highs are phenomenal.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 12 December 2013 23:19 (ten years ago) link
agreed
― Nhex, Friday, 13 December 2013 04:17 (ten years ago) link
http://nekocase.com/neko-marks-the-anniversary-of-dont-peggy-olsen-me-with-a-long-form-essay-on-women-in/
― Love, Wilco (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 6 June 2015 00:54 (nine years ago) link
can't believe i read that whole thingbut it was cool to see a lot of callbacks to her lyrics
― Nhex, Sunday, 7 June 2015 16:51 (nine years ago) link
Sorry, I thought it started off promising but I didn't have enough time to make it all the way through. Was there a monster at the end?
― Maria Felix Kept On Walking (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 7 June 2015 19:17 (nine years ago) link
get the fuuuuck away from me, why don't you eeever shut up
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 14 April 2016 15:45 (eight years ago) link
I like the Case/Lang/Viers stuff I've heard so far. "Atomic Number" is great.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 15 April 2016 02:27 (eight years ago) link
Agreed. I'm excited for this!
― rhymes with "blondie blast" (cryptosicko), Friday, 15 April 2016 02:53 (eight years ago) link
I have to laugh at that song. It's supposed to be this brutal condemnation of a parent who is verbally abusive to their kid. Yet every parent I know talks like that.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 15 April 2016 05:48 (eight years ago) link
Every parent you know tells their kid(s) to get the fuck away from them and asks them why they don't ever shut up?
― alpine static, Friday, 15 April 2016 06:37 (eight years ago) link
note: I'm not taking what you said literally, though it sounds like it. better way to ask my question is: "Really??"
― alpine static, Friday, 15 April 2016 06:38 (eight years ago) link
that lyric is both hilarious and tragic
― Nhex, Saturday, 16 April 2016 06:51 (eight years ago) link
k d lang was marvelous at EMP last night, and 'Atomic Number' got played.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 16 April 2016 07:34 (eight years ago) link