Neko Case 5/09/2004

It’s a giant wonder why Neko Case is still playing the tiniest of rock clubs. The musician, who currently resides in Chicago, has it all: a powerful, haunting voice, overflowing charm, and plenty of passionate, personal songs that show off every bit of her vocal range. And for the record, at least on this night during the opening song, “Favorite,” she even blows out amps!

With that disaster out of the way (the amp, not the song), Case collected her beautiful breath and delivered a handful of new songs mostly about mammals, because, as she told the audience, “We’re all mammals, aren’t we?” Backing Case on these new tunes were The Sadies, who proved to be a perfect fit throughout the hour and fifteen minute performance. Never playing over Case’s vocals, The Sadies were still able to shine, as they delicately made their lasting impressions on each song, including a brilliant cover of Catherine Irwin’s “Hex.” And fortunately, they also perform on Case’s new live album that will be released in October.

Although most of the set was made of unreleased material, Case still had time for material from 2002’s Blacklisted and 2000’s Furnace Room Lullaby. The short, but wonderful “Outro With Bees” led into the fiery “Blacklisted,” and by the end of the chilling set-closing “Furnace Room Lullaby ” Case had the room of hundreds standing in amazement. And who ever said you needed 20,000 in a room to feel so good.