Album Review: Neko Case - The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You

It could be a conscious desire to eventually tackle every style and genre music has to offer. Or it could just be a short attention span. Whatever it is, Neko Case seems determined to never be pinned down. From country, to pop to alt super group The New Pornographers, Case has proven herself up for any musical challenge. And she tackles more than one here.

Early on, Night Still Comes hints at her country music early years while Man is pure guitar pop that would fit in on any New Pornographers album. It's also where contributing guitarist M Ward's presence is most evident. There's a less-is-more vibe to much of the album. No song is ever more elaborate, over arranged or more instrumentally layered than it needs to be. When nothing more than an acoustic guitar and Case's beautiful voice get the job done, we get I'm From Nowhere. Give Case a deep drone and the sound of water droplets, and she'll give you the first half of Where Did I Leave That Fire. Nearly Midnight Honolulu dispatches the need for instruments altogether with gorgeous a cappella harmonies.

Slow and contemplative, fast and fun, quiet and brooding, The Worse Things Get… is an eclectic mix that could have spun out of control. But when reined in by Neko Case, it's an eclectic trip well worth taking.