Album Review: Neko Case - Hell-On

It's been five years since Neko Case's last solo album. But despite creative struggles that caused it to take over a year to make, or "weeds" as she calls them, Hell-On is not just a return, but a bona fide return to form for Case.

Despite being aided by a whole slew of admirers - including Joey Burns (Calexico), Mark Lanegan, Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices) as well as past collaborators Laura Veirs, kd lang and AC Newman - Hell-On is indelibly characterised by Case's quixotic, sometimes enigmatic, songwriting. Her unique voice is a defining element, too, as it soars through the rousing Pitch Or Honey. Equally impressive, though, is the quieter illumination it lends to the nuanced storytelling of the title track.

Case and Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn & John) have pulled off a masterly production feat with many an evocative soundscape; prime examples include the unbridled cinematic drama of Curse Of The I-5 Corridor and the epic rural sound of Halls Of Sarah, which seems to stretch ever onwards like a thousand miles of summer.

This heartfelt work should put Case back on the radar and possibly attract a few new fans to boot.