Cat Power new album out

Not exactly inundated with responses from people familiar with Cat Power.

For the uninitiated Cat Power is the performing name of Chan Marshall, an American woman with the most sultry New York voice. If you don't believe me then check out her appearances from the mid-2000s on Joolz Holland available on YouTube.

She releases albums sporadically and they can, with the exception of the Covers Record, be a little uneven. However, all contain some brilliantly worded and emotionally gripping tracks.

Anyway, getting back to her latest effort. Well, I like track 8 ' Manhattan' for her use of piano to drive the song and track 10 'Nothing but Time' which is quite euphoric and features Iggy Pop on backing vocals.

The rest of it seems to meander aimlessly though with arrangements that detract from her voice rather than complement it.

Oh well another 2012 disappointment to be filed under the same umbrella with the latest Wild Beasts and Vaccines albums.

Atb

Ray

Ray,

i'm a Cat Power fan, have most of her albums, my favourites are Jukebox and Moonpix.

I really do like everything she's done so far, including my listen to Sun on 'Spotify', but looking forward to my pre-order vinyl copy of Sun which should despatch any day now... i hope : )

Debs

Thanks for the reply Debs.

I was beginning to despair, thinking that everybody else on the forum was Peter Gabriel/Pink Floyd philistines.

Unfortunately, Sun is my least favourite album so far by Cat Power.

Ray

I only have a couple of Chan's albums (The Greatest and Covers) but I do like her. I might pick up some more of the back catalogue before this one (but there can be NOTHING wrong with a track featuring Iggy on backing vocals)..

Wickyincanada

Agree with you on that one.

It's an older, wiser Iggy in this instance. He sounds like a God who has spent a lot of time in the company of the cowboy from the Big Lebowski.

Ray

Another Cat Power fan here. I have possibly all of her studio albums... Still letting Sun sink in. Sounds eclectic. I like the fact she is not static. I'm not sure the Auto-tune in that one track sounds all that great though. Perhaps it came off better for James Blake. 

I just bought The Greatest and Moonpix for £10 each on new vinyl - on a whim really and as I didn't know her stuff. Really like both LPs perhaps the first one slightly better at this point. A really good find for me....

Quick story. I ate at a restaurant in London a few years back. They had a wonderful collection of rock photos on display and for sale. The one on the wall at our table was of a very young Iggy. Mesmerizing glimpse into the past. It was quite expensive (1600 quid IIRC) but a part of me still regrets not buying it at the time.

Hi Andy

Glad you're enjoying Cat Power. My favourite album is Jukebox although I think the title trackfrom the Greatest is my most liked single track.

Hi Wikyincanada

Ashamed to say, I don't currently posses any Iggy material, especially as his music was so evident in my youth and his line "and dance like I'm hypnotising chickens" from Lust for Life is such a belter.

Atb

Ray

National Public Radio here in the States did an interview with her last week.  Im sure that it is still available to listen to online -- very intersting imho.

The only Iggy I have is "Raw Power". I can't say I listen to it much.

Bart

Thanks for the tip-off, will try and find it at the weekend.

Ray

I like her.  I love jukebox. Didn't know she had a new one.....bummed it is mediocre.  I think she has had a lot of struggles in her life. This will likely compell me to buy the lp anyway. Or cd. I'm moving and I don't think my rega will make the trip

Bart

Have just listened to her interview on NPR - very interesting.

I learned that she is originally from Atlanta and not New York as I had assumed. I was also pleased to hear her talking voice is just as sexy as her singing voice.

Her explanation for the reason behind her change in musical direction left me saddened though as she seems a bit vulnerable to suggestion.

I think her affinity with piano and acoustic guitar were perfect for her voice and allowed her previous albums to come across as heartfelt, whereas the new one leaves me cold (with the exception of a few tracks).

On the plus side, I discovered she's now single......and I'm single........

Ray

See my last post

She's a bit......mmmmm, not like you and me.  But she is quite attractive

Hi Ray.

Your post reminded me that I have not listened to my one & only Cat CD for some time. Teaming Cat with the Hi team who recorded behind Ann Peebles and Al Green was an unexpected and brilliant idea. A special alchemy took place at Ardent Studios in Memphis which enhanced both Cat's gorgeous smoky voice and the soulful groove the band has laid down. IMO this Cd an excellent show case of her considerable talent.

Regards Graham. 

Hi Graham

Glad I was able to rekindle your interest in her music.

Posts by others on here have done likewise for me regarding bands such as Half Man Half Biscuit and the Clash which I hadn't played for a long time. And they sound better than ever.

Ray

Cat Power also did two Peel Sessions. I reckon these remain her finest work.

She manages to dispatch Free Bird in under 40 seconds. Well worth hearing. Also magnificent is her cover of Knocking on Heaven's Door. The Peel sessions have been loaded on to youtube so you can listen there.

Note that KoHD is segued with a track called Oh Sister on youtube and that is the genuine Peel session version.

I remain,

Ghetto Yout'

Yes, I remember her Peel sessions well. I had them recorded onto tape and played them in the car.

Atb

Ray

"The Greatest" is  fantastic ! Bought unheard when I ran in to an acquaintence in a record store. He recommended TG, and I advised "Gulag Orkestar" by Beirut. I like to think we both struck gold.

I may buy " Moonpix" rather than " Sun" due to better press. However, I do have "What Would The Community Think" and find it a little rough. Any thoughts ?