"You are free", edited in 2003, marks the blossom of a new, vibrant, more and more acknowledged, Cat Power.
This indie singer, for those more distracted, was the American archetype of the road trip diva to be. Playing in small bars and clubs all around US, she didn't expect much of her career, ... Read review
You Are Free - Cat Power
Many artists strive for eccentricity, but few carry it off as convincingly as Chan "Cat ... more
Power" Marshall. Over the past few years, her gigs have become legendarily flaky, engrossing marathons of shyness, fragments, works in progress and moments of trans...
You Are Free - Cat Power
Many artists strive for eccentricity, but few carry it off as convincingly as Chan "Cat ... more
Power" Marshall. Over the past few years, her gigs have become legendarily flaky, engrossing marathons of shyness, fragments, works in progress and moments of trans...
A review by R_A_C on You Are Free - Cat Power December 20th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Great music and her unique voice !
Disadvantages:
May sound minimalist . . .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
"You are free", edited in 2003, marks the blossom of a new, vibrant, more and more acknowledged, Cat Power.
This indie singer, for those more distracted, was the American archetype of the road trip diva to be. Playing in small bars and clubs all around US, she didn't expect much of her career, fearful of the strong lights of fame and recognition.
But suddenly, there's "You are free". Her 4th original record but her real first attempt to impress the world! And she did it. Brilliantly! With a set of simple, but great guitar moods, she built up an amazing record, which got the applause of the critic. As forthright as truthful, the songs are the proof of her real feelings, expressed through her unique seducing voice. There are also the piano songs, confirming that solo predisposition, the image of the wild girl seating with the guitar on her hands or the piano in front.
I really thing the "indie" label is the one that fits better to the album, though the album that followed this ("The Greatest", 2006) sounded more like a blues thing. This time she didn't have a band of that kind behind her, just the regular support of a rocker. But it's her very particular kind of soft rock, with the lyrics and her wild voice punching you in the stomach more often than the guitars.
With the interesting collaboration of Eddie Vedder, inn the backvocals of 2 songs, you can find a coherent set of songs, with brighter moments such as "Free", "Good Woman" "Fool" or "Speak for me".
There's also the song "I don't blame you" which some speculate it's a tribute to Kurt Cobain, and a comprehensive testimony of his suicidal decision.
This album was recorded by Adam Kasper (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam), You Are Free is Chan's first record of original material since 1998's.
Tracklisting: 1- I Don't Blame You 2- Free 3- Good Woman 4- Speak For Me 5- Werewolf 6- Fool 7- He War 8- Shaking Paper 9- Babydoll 10- Maybe Not 11- Names 12- Half Of You 13- Keep On Runnin' 14- Evolution
Album Notes: Cat Power includes: Chan Marshall (vocals, guitar). If catharsis is the name of the game, then Cat Power (AKA Chan Marshall) handily achieves this goal with YOU ARE FREE, her first studio album of original material since 1998's MOON PIX. She's a master at making more out of less, and to say Marshall's arrangements are sparse is an understatement. That said, songs like "Maybe Not" and "I Don't Blame You" benefit immensely from the solo piano accompaniment that gently prods along this southern singer-songwriter's creaky vocals. Even when she adds instrumentation, a measured approach keeps everything tight, whether Marshall is howling in front of Dave Grohl (who plays bass and drums), on the hypnotic, guitar-driven "Speak For Me," or delivering an ethereal cover of Michael Hurley's "Werewolf" that features David Campbell's evanescent string arrangements. In singing about various facets of freedom, Chan Marshall addresses her lover's unhealthy lifestyle (the mournful "Babydoll") and inability to open up (an echo-drenched "Half of You"). Along with Grohl, Eddie Vedder puts in a pair of appearances. The Pearl Jam frontman loses himself within the murmured duet "Evolution" and "Good Woman," the fullest-sounding song on the album, like a modern-day Lomax recording with its scratchy fiddle, buzzing guitar, and spooky harmonies.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (3/6/03, p.69) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...FREE may be her most beautiful album....There are gaunt rock songs and ramshackle ballads, all painted with bold, sure strokes..." Spin (3/03, p.119-20) - 8 out of 10 - "...Marshall has never sounded this in control of her demons..." Mojo (3/03, p.102) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...YOU ARE FREE is the most stylistically varied Cat Power album....The sense of fragile lives on the verge of collapse is never far from the surface..." Entertainment Weekly (2/21/03, p.150) - "...[Marshall's] voice remains a dusky hush, turning songs by John Lee Hooker and cult folkie Michael Hurley into spooky whispers..." - Rating: B+ The Wire (2/03, p.59) - "...The more upbeat songs of YOU ARE FREE have a simmering energy in keeping with the current vogue for refried garage rock..." Uncut (3/03, p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Everything Marshall touches has a hypnotic power that's eerily unsettling..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: I Don't Blame You
2.: Free
3.: Good Woman
4.: Speak For Me
5.: Werewolf
6.: Fool
7.: He War
8.: Shaking Paper
9.: Baby Doll
10.: Maybe Not
11.: Names
12.: Half On You
13.: Keep On Runnin'
14.: Evolution
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 13/05/2005
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