Cat Power

The Greatest

Related Content

• President Obama's Sexy Al Green Croon, Plus Four Other Presidents That Won Over the Country With Music
  January 26, 2012
• Seven Extraordinarily LOUD Live Bands (and Jucifer)
  October 11, 2011
• The Surfside IV Gives Desert Dwellers the Adrenaline Rush of Surf
  September 1, 2011
• Flashback to 1972: Happy Birthday Eminem and Wyclef Jean
  October 17, 2011
• Sharon Van Etten @ The Rhythm Room
  March 17, 2011

More About

• Cat Power
• Marshall
• Al Green
• Handsome Boy Modeling School

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

With a title like The Greatestand a hot pink album cover featuring boxing glove bling, Chan Marshall (otherwise known as Cat Power) seems to be making an effort to separate herself from her established image with this latest release. Marshall, notorious for her insecurities and fumbling onstage persona, began the transformation last year with her contribution to the Handsome Boy Modeling School track "I've Been Thinking." The woman crooning about "those things we did" over icy-cool hip-hop beats seemed to be different from the introspective Marshall of yore. The Greatest doesn't stray too far from established Cat Power, but it is imbued with a new sensuality and strength that seems to have grown from some of this recent experimentation. Recorded in Memphis with Al Green's guitarist and songwriting partner Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, the new record finds Marshall sounding like she put a little South in her mouth. "Could We," with its upbeat hooks, borders on '60s country with a healthy heaping of soul. The title track's austere piano and vocal delivery sound undeniably like what you'd expect from Cat Power, and yet its confidence and sexiness feel new and fresh. Calling yourself the greatest may be asking for trouble, but Marshall seems to have pulled it off. One listen to The Greatestand any notion of a shy, insecure performer will surely be erased. Now let's just hope the confidence will stick.