Average Metacritic score is 79 (31 reviews):

by Neko Case
Middle Cyclone (Anti)
Release Date: March 3, 2009
Metacritic Ranking: 100 (A- review)
Pitchfork: 7.9




http://www.avclub.com/articles/neko-cas ... one,24463/

By Noel Murray March 3, 2009 (A- av club rating)

While some musicians progress in leaps, Neko Case tends to move in increments. But she does move. Case’s albums have remained consistently strong over the years, even as she’s stepped away from her traditionalist alt-country roots and towards more idiosyncratic twangy pop. Her latest, Middle Cyclone, is in the same exploratory mode as 2006’s Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, as Case tries to discover what she can eke out of just a little shimmer, some elliptical lyrics, and her big, yelping voice. Middle Cyclone doesn’t sound substantially different from the album than what preceded it, yet it’s far removed from her 1997 debut, The Virginian.

In fact, it’s hard to imagine what the Case of 12 years ago would make of Middle Cyclone’s opener, “This Tornado Loves You,” which rushes along like a gust of wind that keeps changing direction. The song is about being tossed about by forces you can’t understand—but that understand you—and in a way, it’s a metaphor for how Case works these days. She’s more intuitive and less genre-bound.

Because of that intuitive approach, Middle Cyclone is more fragmented than Fox Confessor. The album takes its lead from the off-the-cuff methodology of Harry Nilsson, whose yearning, smart-ass ballad “Don’t Forget Me” Case covers beautifully here. Case feels untethered enough to close the record with 30 minutes of chirping crickets, and to defend the predatory nature of killer whales, and to perform a straight-faced version of Sparks’ the-ecology-can-ruin-you anthem “Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth.” All of Middle Cyclone is reliably Case-like, in that it seems unpredictable, unless you’ve listened to Case long enough to understand what she understands: that following fleeting impulses can be as rewarding as it is dangerous.

I like the Sparks cover. Aside from that, I don't think I've really listened to it enough. I've had it playing on occasion but nothing else has grabbed me yet.

Solid neko album. My biggest complaint is that the music doesn't match the bitchin' tough & sexy cover.

I heard it once and wasnt intrigued enough to give it a second listen... I might tonight

Absolultely love Neko and this album.

Top 10 for me. Fantastic album. Early on in the year I spent a lot of hours walking each morning, in the cool spring air and this was the album I started my walk with each day. I'll never forget that thanks to these songs. Brings me back to it every time I revisit them. There is something very intimate about listening to music through headphones, especially while on a walk, and if the music is right, nothing can compare to the experience.

I generally don't get excited about Neko but this album had a few moments including all those crickets. Probably won't hit my Top 20.

Somebody up this for me.

Going in the box now.

I love Neko Case, but this is definitely my least favorite of hers since Furnace Room Lullaby. nothing really grabbed me on this one.

I listened to some of this yesterday for the first time in a while. I truly enjoy her music, but don't think I have liked a complete Neko album enough to place it in a top 10 list.

I'd put this second only to Blacklisted in her canon. Excellent album, though the cricket bit at the end is beyond ridiculous.

In the words of Radsilf: "BLECH"

agreed, but for some reason have not returned to this much in the second half of the year. maybe burned it out at first.

this had kind of lost some luster for me, but I still like it, might eek into the top 20.

same review as my Wilco review - probably her worst album

To me she's just not exciting anymore. It's not a bad album and I can't really even call it her worse, thought it might be. She just does not excite me. I'll keep it around for some reason and maybe one day grow to love it...but I'm just bored of Neko on the whole.

i'm with you contradiction

i think i listened to it once.

Agreed but that doesn't mean I won't be listening to this album in 20 years.

Just great songs, great performances, non-traditional arrangements. Worst album? For me that's like saying pork chops are the worst pork product after bacon and BBQ. It's still all delicious.

it's okay, I like a few of the songs. There's really no progression with her music though. I think I'm getting Neko Case fatigue.


When she sings flat I want to cover my ears.


She still hasn't topped "Deep Red Bells"

true. middle cyclone is much closer to blacklisted than fox confessor is. at times i wondered if mc is not my favourite. it will be in my top 10, not that i have 20 eligibles yet.

need to reacquaint myself with this one. think i like it a lot, but it's been a while since a good listen.

listening now...and digging so far.