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Rating:
When I decided to listen to this album by Cat Power, known in everyday life as Chan Marshall, I tried to forget the beauty of the previous "You Are Free." As much as possible, I tried to free myself from it and make tabula rasa of the memories present in my mind, because I didn't want my listening experience to be conditioned by my expectations. I simply wanted to try to take things as they are, attempting to fully experience the taste of discovery with renewed naïveté. Now I can say I did the right thing, because naïveté seems to be the sentiment that best suits the approach to this music, where we do not find any sophistication, special effects, or striking blows, but only a handful of songs that are at times delicate, nostalgic, sweet, soft, at other times bitter, throbbing, imperceptibly scratchy, but always capable of leaving a significant mark. As happens in the opening ballad that gives the album its title: "The Greatest." Gently, the piano and guitar prepare the entry of the voice that arrives soft, somewhat suffering with a romantic aftertaste. There is something clearly sweet in the music, thanks to the support of strings and guitar, which seems to recall the cry of a seagull in the distance; but there is also a bitter contrast that captivates and conquers.
The first impression of this warm and velvety beginning is therefore that of a melancholic and bitter sweetness outlined by the feminine sensitivity of Cat Power. This will resurface from time to time throughout the listening, supported by subtle hints of indolent and sinuous winds ("Lived In Bars"), country violins ("Could We"), a languid pedal steel ("Islands"), background second voices ("Willie") or again by the emotional and fragile sadness of Chan Marshall's voice ("Where Is My Love"). Intense and mature throughout the course of the album, it is capable of hinting at and keeping company with an elegant sensuality and a deep suffering. But there are also different tenor moments, which represent an energetic counterpoint capable of enlivening the listening. "Living Proof," for example, is more vital, even if it hides a whispered blues soul among its weaves; "Lived in Bars" has a more determined rhythm and soul hues, enhanced by the Hammond in the background, while "After It All" is made of disenchanted irony and serenity. Additionally, there are evident in several passages some rhythm & blues influences, and folk hints are not lacking, highlighting special care in defining the album's arrangements with piano, strings, and winds surrounding Chan Marshall's soul. But perhaps in the end, the most beautiful song on the album is the simplest of all: "Hate." Guitar and voice, contained anger that seems always on the verge of springing forward, hinting at a reaction that doesn't come, lived on the edge: a fascinating, vague, and restless sensation of repressed tension.
And ultimately, this is the strongest sensation this beautiful album has given me, which, for its depth and artistic maturity, stands out positively among the first releases of this gray start of the year. Then I don't know how much this judgment could be shared. A lot will depend on your expectations or your state of mind. The only advice I leave you then is: don't think too much, listen to it and let yourself go.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 The Greatest (03:22)
Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
Stars at night turned deep to dust
Melt me down
Into big black armour
Leave no trace of grace
Just in your honor
Lower me down
To culprit south
Make 'em wash a space in town
For the lead
And the dregs of my bed
I've been sleeping
Lower me down
Pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the later parade
Once I wanted to be the greatest
Two fists of solid rock
With brains that could explain
Any feeling
Lower me down
Pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the lead
And the dregs of my bed
I've been sleeping
For the later parade
Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
The stars at night turned deep to dust
05 Empty Shell (03:04)
All that is left is an empty shell
Of my heart that is crushed
I don't never wanna see
What my mind has seen
When you loved me
Every night, every night alone with you
Every night, alone now
When she sits on your lap
Try to pretend to laugh
When she does stupid things
Just like I used to do
Do not hate her
Don't you even try
For to leave her is to love her
The same as you and I
I love you
And I miss you too
I really do love you
And I really miss you too
But I don't know you
And I don't need you
And I don't want you anymore
Every night, every night alone with you
Every night, alone now
06 Willie (05:57)
Have you seen him?
Willie Deadwilder and Rebecca
They knew that they loved one another
Gonna have a real good time
No more sad, sad, bad times
It's all that they've been waiting for
Someone to knock at that door
Willie was shot once in his mind
His cry out saved his own life
The second time was through the heart
The doctors pulled the bullet from inside
He had a job to do, he said
That's his way of life
Please don't bring him down
Please don't let him go
He's on the same side as you
He's just a little bit behind
I tell you there are some people living alone
I tell you there are some people with nowhere to go
There are some people who don't believe in love
Willie and Rebecca proved them all wrong
A man named John wrote a song for me to sing
And the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen
He's a very good man
He has been an even very good man to me
I hope one day his song I will sing
Another love I still love
Familiar face to me
A standing arch above my heart
I've never been to reach
He's laid my head on the bed
And told me sweety I'm not
Crazy like all the others said
No he's not crazy like me
Please don't bring me down
Please don't let me go
My heart is a worried thing
Memories have planted seeds of a field I now
Want to reap and sow
I'm on the same side as you
I'm just a little bit behind
Have you seen him?
08 The Moon (03:45)
The moon is not only beautiful
It is so far away
The moon is not only ice cold
It is here to stay
When I lay me down
Will you still be around
When they put me six feet underground
Will the big bad beautiful you be around
Everyone says they know you
Better than you know who
Everyone says they own you
More than you do
When I lay me down
Will you still be around
When they put you six feet underground
Will the big bad beautiful moon still be around
Cuz the moon is not only beautiful
It is so far away
The moon is not only ice cold
It is here to stay
Everyone says they know you
Better than you know who
Everyone says they own you
More than you do
09 Islands (01:44)
I want to rule the islands
And I want to rule the sea
But if you're not coming back
I will sleep eternally
And I want no heavy diamonds
And pearls crush my teeth
I just want my sailor
To sail back to me
Captain has a treasure
He says I hold the key
But old man grows and sweets winds blow songs
To you and me
I want to rule the islands
And I want to rule the sea
But if you're not coming back
I will sleep eternally
11 Hate (03:38)
Anyone can tell you there’s no more road to ride
everyone will tell you there’s no place to hide
there’s no laws or rules to enchain your life
but the ones who didn’t make it,
the ones who couldn’t take it,
so glad they made it out alive
everyone loves the fun
everyone comes by
in the wind I crunch, I want to die
they can give me pills
or let me drink my fill
the heart wants to explode
far away where nobody knows
do you believe she said that?
do you believe she said that?
I said I hate myself and I want to die.
half of it is innocent
the other half is wise
the whole damn thing makes no sense
I wish I could tell you a lie
hey, come here
let me whisper in your ear
I hate myself and I want to die.
do you believe she said that?
do you believe she said that?
I said i hate me, myself and die.
I said I hate myself and I want to die.
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