Cat Power album is weak

By Lindsey Underwood

Published Jan. 25, 2008

Oh Cat Power, what went wrong? After two solid records in a row, 2004's You Are Free and critically acclaimed The Greatest in 2006, Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, seemed to be developing into a blues-folk starlet.

Marshall's offbeat antics while performing gained her notoriety, and a collaboration with Handsome Boy Modeling School further promoted the style of this mysterious artist. With all eyes on her, it seems that Cat Power has dissolved in the spotlight.

Since Marshall is no stranger to sampling (as seen with her 2000 album The Covers Record), it wasn't a shock that Marshall decided to go the same route with her latest album, Jukebox. While covers like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" propelled The Covers Record, the largely unknown tracks on Jukebox fail to deliver in the same way.

This new album is less than favorable, with few outstanding tracks, and lackluster renditions of songs from greats such as Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and James Brown.

A diverse buffet of genres is compiled on this record, but none seem to exude the energy of her previous work. "Metal Heart," a rerecorded track from 1998's Moon Pix, fails to deliver with the swagger of the original recording.

The only original on the album, "Song to Bobby" is also the most successful. "Song to Bobby" divulges Marshall's infatuation with Bob Dylan. It is almost like peering into her diary, but remains emotionally disconnected.

Overall Jukebox introduces us to those who have influenced Marshall's soulful style, but it fails to show who she has developed into as an artist.