Neko Case

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Neko Case

Album: Middle Cyclone

Label: Anti-

Genre: Alt-country, rock

Comments: First, the album artwork. Then, the short film about salvaging pianos and recording in a barn. Followed by the absolute gem of a pop song, "People Got a Lotta Nerve", as the lead single. Did I mention the cover? Finally, we've arrived at the release date (March 3, when I'm tardily posting this review) for Neko Case's spectacular new effort, Middle Cyclone, which doesn't disappoint after all this buildup. Case continues to establish herself as one of the best songwriters in the business--who else could pull off a song from the point of view of a tornado, which she does on album opener "This Tornado Loves You"?--and as always, her backing band is full of terrific musicians, including long-time collaborators Jon Rauhouse, Kelly Hogan and Paul Rigby. Also check out "I'm an Animal," "Prison Girls" and "Magpie to the Morning." One of 2009's best.