Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
List Price:
Our Price: $9.26
You Save: $4.72 (34%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.79 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Neko CaseBrand: CASE,NEKO
Edition: Music CD
Format: Live
CD Release Date: 2004-11-09
Music Label: Anti
Soundtracks:
- If You Knew
- Soulful Shade Of Blue
- Hex
- Train From Kansas City
- The Tigers Have Spoken
- Blacklisted
- Loretta
- Favorite
- Rated X
- This Little Light
- Wayfaring Stranger
- untitled
Music reviews of The Tigers Have Spoken
Music Review: Crooner Case comes alive
Rating: 3 Stars
Neko Case is a beloved fixture of the alt-country scene, though her music defies such straightforward categorization. "The Tigers Have Spoken," her first live album, is an eclectic mix of new Case originals, covers of country classics and a mere two songs she's already released on studio albums. With the help of the Sadies, her backing band, she unites country with rock and even punk sensibilities. And though the songs are mostly all great choices, Case's pained yet beautiful voice is her greatest asset.
Case rocks harder and louder here than on any previous solo album, supported by two electric guitars besides her own and backing vocalists which provide strong support. The rock setting suits Case well, differentiating the live album from her previous albums, and improving upon her own material. Considering that improvement, it's disappointing that she neither reworks more of her old songs nor introduces more new material.
But the four Case originals we do get are the high points of the album, particularly the two already-released songs. "Blacklisted," from her excellent album of the same name, is dark and satisfying. It especially benefits from the color and depth of the Sadies. "Favorite" is also better than its original version, on "Canadian Amp." Case's haunting voice is nearly transcendent, especially when matched with such evocative lyrics: "Oh light,/ I thought you were golden,/ I thought you were white,/ caught you returning to the house you caught fire."
"If You Knew," the opening track, is a new song co-written by Case and the Sadies. Its lyrics are similarly elegant and suggestive, albeit difficult to decipher. Along with the two previously released tracks, this trio of original material displays Case at her finest.
The title of the album comes from the fourth Case original, "The Tigers Have Spoken," which is built around a simple melody sung over a bright guitar line. The song tries to be both tragic and ironic, though the short song is over before there is even time to consider its import. Many of the album's songs suffer the problem of length, which is a relatively flattering problem. "Rated X" is a fast-paced and energetic cover of the Loretta Lynn classic, but just as its getting to its peak, it's over. Its abrupt shortness robs the song of its potential
The straight-ahead country music on "The Tigers Have Spoken" returns Case to her roots as a singer-songwriter, especially recalling the sound of "Furnace Room Lullaby" (2000). On her easy-going covers of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Soulful Shade of Blue" and the traditional "This Little Light," Case's electrifying voice raises the music above regular country fare. Nevertheless, they are rather forgettable, perhaps again due to their shortness. "Hex," a lengthier and less hurried tune, more successfully allows the listener to sink into its mood before its conclusion.
The final song on the album is the often-covered traditional folk classic "Wayfaring Stranger," which has been done by everyone from Johnny Cash to Jack White of the White Stripes. Case gloriously transforms the song into something strikingly new and beautiful. What makes this version so special is the oddly-named ideaCity03 Choir, who add a remarkable poignancy to the famous chorus.
Case's singing can make even the least interesting of melodies a pleasure to listen to. Her soaring voice commands attention and unites the various country and rock songs into a satisfactory and coherent whole.
Despite the shortness of the songs (and the album as a whole), the material is consistently good and oftentimes great. Perhaps the dearth of new music suggests that Case is saving her best material for her next studio album due next year, which wouldn't be such a tragedy.
(Originally published in the Yale Daily News, November 12, 2004)
Description of The Tigers Have Spoken
Over the past few years, Case has been making a name for herself in both indie rock and country circles as a solo artist and as a member of the New Pornographers. On this record, she's backed by a full band featuring the Sadies and steel guitar whiz Jon Rauhouse. Her majestic yet sublime singing voice, her poetic songwriting, and her musical vision, which reconstructs a century's worth of American music, has won her acclaim from all quarters.It might seem a bit of a letdown to have waited 26 months (Case is such a transcendent singer, her fans were waiting the two years between Blacklisted and Tigers) for a brief, live effort that's half cover versions. But this disc is wide-ranging and superb, that rare breed of live album (think At Budokan and Small Town Romance) which ranks amongst an artist's finest, most representative work. Recorded in 2004 in Toronto and Chicago, Case is absolutely on fire for the ballads and the ass-kicking tunes. This is largely due to a ripping backing band composed of the Sadies and Jon Rauhouse, with fellow Corn Sister Carolyn Mark and Kelly Hogan lending their vocal talents (the effect's like Trio, but better). The album's title is discussed in a brief example of Case's between-song banter, an expression of her off-color humor which will not surprise those lucky enough to have seen her perform before. And if you never have yourself, this here's the next best thing. --Mike McGonigal
Recommended Albums by Neko Case and Friends
 The Virginian |  Furnace Room Lullaby |  Blacklisted |
 The Sadies, Favourite Colours |  Kelly Hogan, Beneath the Country Underdog |  The Corn Sisters, The Other Women |
Alternative Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $149.98
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $99.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $183.90
Similar CDs
New Pornographers, The New Pornographers - Twin CinemaBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2005-08-23; Music CD
Best price: $7.43
Price in other shops:
Canadian Ampby Neko Case
Music CD
Best price: $29.00
New Pornographers - Mass RomanticRelease date: 2003-10-07; Music CD
Best price: $7.61
Price in other shops:
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (Bonus Disc Version)Release date: 2007-11-06; Music CD
Best price: $24.97
Neko Case - Live From Austin Tx (Dig)Release date: 2007-01-09; Music CD
Best price: $9.48
Price in other shops:
Neko Case & Her Boyfriends - The VirginianRelease date: 2007-10-23; Music CD
Best price: $10.08
Price in other shops:
Neko Case - Middle CycloneCASE,NEKO; Release date: 2009-03-03; Music CD
Best price: $6.10
Price in other shops:
Neko Case - Furnace Room Lullaby (Dig)CASE,NEKO; Release date: 2007-11-06; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Neko Case - Blacklisted (Original Recording Remastered)CASE,NEKO; Release date: 2007-11-06; Music CD
Best price: $8.73
Price in other shops:
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the FloodCASE,NEKO; Release date: 2006-03-07; Music CD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: