Categorized | Albums

Cat Power – Dark End of the Street

likes covers. And, it turns out, so does everyone else. If the success of her cover-filled Jukebox is any indicator, fans will receive her new EP The Dark End of The Street just as warmly.

The record opens with the title track, an cover. While I don’t care for the way she pronounces certain words, or the slightly nasal quality in her voice, she still has an incredibly warm and inviting tone. Certain elements of the song remind me of ’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale”. The whole song is very shoegaze-y and heavy on the reverb.

Next, and ridiculously appropriate for the current state of affairs is ’s “Fortunate Son”. Power gives us a glimpse of the soul we know is inside her, but still doesn’t completely let loose. The rich harmonies over piano and strings is captivating.

I found a cover to be an interesting choice, but makes the right choice with “Ye Auld Triangle”. An absolutely beautiful viola line carries through the tune, adding to the utter loveliness the song already possesses. Something in this song grabbed me, and it won’t let go, making it my personal favorite on the record.

Leave it to to get someone to let loose. On “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)”, Power finally lets the song almost control her. While her voice is beautiful, it’s always so very controlled, and those moments where you would expect a voice like hers to take over and knock the world on its ass are still so restrained. However, this disappointment doesn’t hinder the rest of the song. Her smoky tone is perfect in the sexy, soulful melody and the drum work is delectable.

With an introduction that sounds like a snowstorm, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes?”, originally by , is nice, but not as captivating as the rest of the EP. The tune has a Colonial feel to it, with a nice piano line and a haunting organ.

Closing the album, (and rounding it out as well) is another Aretha cover, “It Ain’t Fair”. As I listen to the soulful and bluesy cut, and relish the brushes being used on the drums, I wonder what makes choose the songs that she does. I wonder why she won’t let that rich voice of hers off of its leash so we can see what it’s really capable of. But even if she never does, and still continues to put forth these deliciously lo-fi gems, will still be sitting pretty. After all, she’s indie rock’s Queen of Covers, and who doesn’t love a good cover?

Tracklisting:
1. Dark End of the Street
2. Fortunate Son
3. Ye Auld Triangle
4. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
5. Who Knows Where The Time Goes
6. It Ain’t Fair

: website | myspace | Jukebox review | @ virgin mobile 2008 | @ lollapalooza 2008

Written by: Sara Bellum

Related Posts

This post was written by:

Bethany Smith - who has written 713 posts on popwreckoning.


Contact the author

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

One Response to “Cat Power – Dark End of the Street”

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. [...] Cat Power Dark End of the Street :: review [...]


Leave a Reply

Advert

What's new on PW:

Posting tweet...

disclaimer

All media content contained within PopWreckoning is meant to enhance reader appreciation for the art and medium. Please support artists you discover here by purchasing albums, attending shows and buying merch.
Contact us should you wish for certain media to be removed from PopWreckoning.

Concert Calendar

July 31, 2010
Tokyo Police Club @ Record Bar, Kansas City MO

August 2, 2010
The Vans Warped Tour @ Sandstone at Cap Fed, Bonner Springs KS

August 3, 2010
Lady Gaga @ Sprint Center, Kansas City MO

August 3, 2010
Happy Birthday!! @ Replay, Lawrence KS

August 6-8, 2010
Lollapalooza @ Grant Park, Chicago

August 10, 2010
Gogol Bordello @ Uptown, Kansas City MO

"PopWreckoning is better than Pitchfork." - Shawn Fogel

PopWreckers

Editor-in-Chief ::
Joshua Hammond (KC): email

Managing Editor ::
Bethany Smith (KC): email

Technical Editor ::
Nick Davis (KC)

Contributors ::
Mary Chang (DC)
Melissa Cowan (Kansas City)
Annastasia Gallaher (Seattle)
Jon Gitchoff (St. Louis)
Marc Z. Grub (Toronto)
Tatum Hengel (Oregon)
Patrice Jackson (Kansas City)
Tracy Nunnery (San Fran)
Casey Osburn (KC)
Reni Papananias (NYC)
Amanda Sorell (Lawrence)
Dese'Rae Stage (NYC)
Thomas Starks(Seattle)
Abbie Stutzer (KC)
Sara Swiecki (LA)
Abby Williamson (Seattle)
Todd Zimmer (Kansas City)