Kelly Hogan

Add Date: May 22 

Artist: Kelly Hogan 

Album: I Like to Keep Myself in Pain 

Label: ANTI- 

Genre: Folk, alt-country, pop 

Comments: Kelly Hogan is one of the best musicians whom you probably wouldn't know by name. I Like to Keep Myself in Pain, her ANTI- debut, is her first solo record since 2001; in the meantime, Hogan has carved out a reputation as a "singer's singer" by collaborating with artists in the spheres of alt-country, indie rock and more. (Her longest-running gig has been as backing vocalist for Neko Case, with whom she'll be touring once again this summer.) As a result, she's made a lot of friends, and now they've returned the favor by contributing tunes for her new LP. Songwriting credits here include Robyn Hitchcock, Andrew Bird, M. Ward, The Magnetic Fields and the late Vic Chesnutt.

Most of the tunes on I Like to Keep Myself in Pain cruise along at a midtempo pace, and it's easy to see several tracks getting airplay on an adult alternative station. Yet the terrific songwriting and Hogan's soulful voice make this a great listen, and there are some true standouts: namely, the country-rock vibe of "Haunted"; the peaceful folk of "Daddy's Little Girl" (written by M. Ward), "The Green Willow Valley" (The Handsome Family) and "Plant White Roses" (The Magnetic Fields); and the country-soul of Hogan's own composition "Golden".