Have Cat Power fans been let down by the band’s newest release, Jukebox? Some have been, but the honest music critic has to appreciate the bold step, especially since, in my opinion, the final result is that it’s another step-up in the career of the mysterious Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power).
For starters, Jukebox, officially released on Jan. 28, 2008, is a bland title for such an inspiration work, but it makes sense in the end because the tracks represent a cross-section and blend of music genres from blues to jazz and soul to country.
The feel of the album is much more like a tour de musique of Americana than the hauntingly anguished sound that made Chan (pronounced “Shawn”) so beloved in the alternative and indie music community. Moreso, Jukebox demonstrates Chan’s maturation musically, lyrically and spiritually.
With a set of songs ready to go, Chan marshaled together some of the finest musicians in soul, blues, jazz and country music, coralling folks like Jim White, drummer for The Dirty Dozen, Matt Sweeney of Chavez, Judah Bauer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, members of the Dirty Delta Blues Band, and others.
The biggest question of all may have been answered when Gregg Foreman, who played piano and organ on Jukebox with Chan, and is currently on tour with Cat Power, was asked by the Philadelphia City Paper to shed some light on the “grittiness” of the sound on Jukebox compared to their previous works.
Foreman acknowledged a shift in sound from the brilliant release MoonPix – an album filled with hearting-wrenching, melancholic songs of failed love – and put it this way:
Yeah, well, we’ve had a few complaints from fans that want to hear [more of the sound found on Moon Pix]…It’ll take time.”
As for Chan’s feelings about the “new” sound, Foreman said:
“She’s happy. There hasn’t been one show where she’s left the stage. She’s smiling. The “old sad Chan” is nowhere to be found. And this album’s the biggest-selling CD in Matador history. She’s blessed.”
Download, listen and upload to any MP3 player the following free and legal MP3s off of Jukebox, curiousity of the great Matador Records:
MP3: Cat Power – “Song to Bobby”
MP3: Cat Power – “Metal Heart”
– Cat Power’s official website (I think this is the official site)
– Matador Record’s Cat Power profile
– All Music Guide’s profile of Cat Power
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