Album Review: case/lang/veirs - case/lang/veirs

Really, what a wonderful idea to bring together the nonchalant vocal bravado of Neko Case, with the sublime power that is k.d. lang, and balance it out with the intricate folk of Laura Veirs.

Their eponymously titled LP should probably be called Awesome Ladies of Song. They very nearly deliver on the promise of their collective powers through 14 songs that wind through wooded paths, up and down hills, and along the open roads of California and beyond. It starts out with a stunner in Atomic Number — all haunting and lush with a call out from the three voices, with Case taking the reins. It is followed by Honey And Smoke, as lang leads the languid charge. Veirs steps into the spotlight on the ode to storied songstress Judee Sill on Song For Judee, a gently rolling song. Delirium is the best song on this album, with senses ignited lyrically: "The smell upon your skin is firewood." It is another showcase for the always emotive, always strong Case, supported by dreamy backing harmonies from her colleagues.

Where the album comes up short is in the songs that veer from a sort of cool smooth jazz (1000 Miles Away) or layered folk (Supermoon) into something, well, a bit sleepy. There is no doubt that the awesome ladies have awesome range (especially Case and lang), but they play it a bit too restrained when we so know they can do bigger, bolder singing. Perhaps they are saving more of that for the sequel.