The Tigers Have Spoken

The Tigers Have Spoken finds Neko Case rendering an eclectic batch of self-composed material and covers from far-flung sources. Recorded live in Chicago and Toronto, the album’s highlights include two new compositions, the poignant title track and the twang-laden “If You Knew.” She also dips back into her catalogue for the tormented, atmospheric “Blacklisted” and the countrified “Favorite.” Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Soulful Shade of Blue” is the sort of honky tonk heart-tugger that Case excels at. A brisk, punky version of the Nervous Eaters’ “Loretta,” a hard-charging treatment of the Shangri-La’s “The Train from Kansas City,” and a pugnacious rendition of Loretta Lynn’s “Rated X” are equally impressive. An unexpected pleasure is the celebratory “This Little Light of Mine,” served up as a folksy sing-along. With The Sadies providing spirited backup, Case displays her trademark passion and finesse throughout this fine in-concert release.