|
I'm not too convinced that Jukebox was voted worst album because the music is "bad." I think it's more a case of Chan Marshall wearing too much makeup, dancing like an idiot during shows, and doing tons of commercial work that has those voters upset.
I'm not one of those Cat Power apologists who praises everything she does because I have some unhealthy fixation on her as a person. I honestly wouldn't pay more than 25 bucks to see her live, as her stage shows are so unpredictable. I GENUINELY like 98% of the music she puts out, and I think her latest polished pop is excellent. Jukebox has some great covers and, imo, one of her best original compositions, 'Song to Bobby'. While I do find Jukebox to be one of her weaker efforts, I don't like it any less than say her You Are Free album, which is typically praised by most "fans."
Jukebox is nothing earth-shattering by any means, and she can certainly do better. I just can't bring myself to believe that it's the WORST album of the year. I'm quite convinced that this is simply another case of image overriding the music.
Take this comment from a Brainwashed reader for example, "How long can you release substandard, undernourished albums of cutesy postmodern cover versions, and play live shows that are famous for their awfulness, and still continue to be a critical darling and indie pinup girl? For Chan Marshall, the answer is thirteen fucking years."
She's had like eight albums, two of which were covers, and those two cover albums are completely different in sound, design and execution. Just another case of someone, who doesn't even appear to have listened to the album, bitching about "popularity."
|