Another great record I listened to a lot this year is from Alt-Country songstress Neko Case. Furnace Room Lullaby is a rare treat: when Neko Case’s song writing skills and vocal chops shine equally.

I first became acquainted with Neko’s music in 2002 when cuts from her Blacklisted album were played on the local radio station WXRT. The swelling acoustic reverb drone and her soaring pipes really captured my attention.

I started out with Blacklisted and progressed back into her first two albums. Of all her recordings, Furnace Room Lullaby stands out as her best all around piece of work to date. Her lyrics (for which her “eccentricity” is widely known now) are not as cryptic on this outing and the songwriting is well-sustained by the collaboration of her fellow musicians on the record.

While not as sonically interesting or atmospheric as her latest work, Furnace Room Lullaby resonates as the most significant. I highly recommend checking this album out if you’re looking for a solid alt-country kick.