Worn-in, comfortable blues

The one criticism that might be accurately leveled at Chan Marshall's second album of covers (after 2000's Covers Record) is that it's just a bit too well put together; the arrangements are coy and crisp, the productions are by measures spare and lush in a way that makes contextual sense, and the song choices, from classics like Joni Mitchell's "Blue" and Sinatra's "New York, New York" to also-rans drawn mostly from country and soul, are all pitched perfectly down the center of Marshall's vocal strike zone, allowing her to strut through these brief versions in full consciousness of command. There's little sense of the strain and struggle that are at the heart of the songs' general concern with longing and loss, which makes the collection seem a little too Starbucks-ready for uncomplicated appreciation. Nic Harcourt will likely play the ever-loving crap out of this record, which is either a blessing or a curse depending on your perspective.

You can read the rest of my review of Cat Power's Jukebox at Slant Magazine.