I?ve been listening to the new CD by Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood over the past few weeks and it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in quite a while. You could probably file her music under the alt-country genre (along with bands like Wilco, or even Graham Parsons). Ms. Case prefers the term “neo-country,” a label once used by a reviewer to describe her music. However, like other outstanding musicians, Neko Case’s sound does not easily fit into strict categories.

Neko’s voice has a beautiful, haunting quality to it. At times she reminds me a bit of Patsy Cline, especially on the album?s opening track, “Margaret Vs. Pauline.”

While her voice is definitely the star of the album, Neko?s choice of backing musicians is first rate: Garth Hudson of The Band, members of The Sadies, Calexico and others. Their musicianship is especially evident on the twangy waltz, “Maybe Sparrow” and “Hold On, Hold On.” The latter being one of my favorite songs, which features a melancholy sound and lyrics that seem to hint of lost love:

The most tender place in my heart is for strangers
I know it’s unkind but my own blood is much too dangerous
Hangin’ round the ceiling half the time

Compared to some I’ve been around
But I really tried so hard
That echo chorus lied to me with its
“Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on”

In the end I was the mean girl
Or somebody’s in-between girl
Now it’s the devil I love
And that’s as funny as real love

Truthfully, most of the lyrics on the album are pretty ambiguous. They have an almost dreamlike imagery that makes it tough to interpret exactly what she is singing about. Instead of detracting from the experience however, those lyrics meld perfectly with that voice until the combination haunts you into a state of musical infatuation.

Occasionally, the intent of the lyrics seem bit more clear, as in the old-time flavored, gospel spiritual, “John Saw That Number” or “Dark Knife,” a song about a family’s decent into madness.

The last track on the disc, “The Needle Touched Down” is another of my favorites. The song is dark and yet beautiful, sad and yet uplifting. Is it the mystery of the song and Neko’s passionate voice that makes me like it so much? Maybe if I listen to it again, I’ll know for sure.