Furnace Room Lullaby

Furnace Room Lullaby is even stronger and more impressive than her fine debut set, 'The Virginian.' Case cowrote all of the album's 12 songs, and the material strikes a more deeply personal note this time out. Case's vocals are superb from front to back, as smooth and fiery as good brandy, and her revolving circle of musicians are subtle and beautifully evocative, balancing sorrow and good times with an easy grace. Dozens of rock artists have wrung cheap laughs from the sound and feel of classic country, but Neko Case understands the honest emotions and working-class poetry Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton brought to their best music, and if her own take on such things is a bit different, 'Furnace Room Lullaby' makes clear how deeply she cares for this music, and confirms her status as one of alt-country's strongest artists.