Pitchfork

Neko Case's voice sounds pristine on record, but the Neko live experience is something else. While watching her sing, it's sometimes hard to believe a voice that perfect is coming out of a human being in real time. So good, it's eerie. No wonder the obvious perfectionist often has some kind of monitor trouble-- she needs to hear herself, people.

Case is planning to show off her live chops this spring with a North American tour to support her upcoming record, Middle Cyclone, out March 3 on Anti-. Based on the record's muscle car Excalibur artwork, Twizzler-ized press photos (see above) and cheeky first single "People Got a Lotta Nerve" ("I'm a man man man man man man eater, but still you're surprised-prised-prised when I eat ya"), it seems like Case is having a bit more fun this time around.

The record features guest shots from M. Ward, Calexico, the Band's Garth Hudson, Los Lobos, Giant Sand, the Sadies, the Lilys, Visqueen, Sarah Harmer, and several of Case's New Pornographers bandmates...maybe a couple of them will pop up at some point on the tour. Crooked Fingers open the trek.

And remember, if you post "People Got a Lotta Nerve" to your blog or iLike profile, you're helping out Best Friends Animal Society.

Neko Case tour dates:

02-18 Berlin, Germany - Roter Salon
02-19 Munich, Germany - Orange House
02-21 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
02-22 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
02-23 London, England - Bush Hall
03-31 Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ
04-02 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *
04-03 Savannah, GA - Trustees Theater *
04-04 Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay Theatre *
04-06 Richmond, VA - Toad's Place *
04-07 Carrboro, NC - Meymandi Concert Hall *
04-08 Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club *
04-09 Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club *
04-10 Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
04-11 Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center *
04-13 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre *
04-14 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre *
04-16 Montreal, Quebec - Le National *
04-17 Toronto, Ontario - Trinity St. Paul's United Church *
04-18 Toronto, Ontario - Trinity St. Paul's United Church *
04-20 Ithaca, NY - State Theater of Ithaca *
04-22 Charleston, WV - Charleston Civic Center *
04-23 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall *
04-24 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre *
04-25 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater *
04-26 Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre *

* with Crooked Fingers