Neko Case and her band of ruffians played the House of Blues last night in Boston. I was reminded how great her gift of cutting to the core was. She’s like your really cool Aunt who’s all business, but will then tell you the foulest / weirdest joke you’ve never heard. Dark humor’s a weapon she wields well. “I’m From Nowhere” is a great example of this. She blends heartfelt poignancy with lyrics about puffy sleeves, the 80s, and grating E-brake sounds. The impressive thing here is that it doesn’t even feel forced. It just kind of tugs at you, playing the long con, the same way a beautiful outsider-drifter would – maybe because that’s who she is and what this song is about. We never know. Either way, take a listen.
