There's so much you can say about Chan Marshall's career as Cat Power. Her sixth album, You Are Free, came 5 years after 1998's Moon Pix, an album that had shown what Cat Power could truly be. However, the tour to support the album proved to be disastrous and the covers album that followed felt dashed off. Perhaps it was good that You Are Free was so long in coming. It seems to have allowed Cat Power time to reclaim her identity and rebuild her allure. Over the course of about a year Marshall worked with engineer Adam Kasper, recording nearly 40 songs. 14 of those songs make up the album. Although long in coming the album was filled with beautiful moments and cagey lyrics. There are many bright moments, just listen to "He War," "Free," "Speak for Me," and "Maybe Not." And then listen to the rest of the album. 120 gram pressing housed in a gatefold sleeve, includes free download.

• music label: Matador 2003 /2012

reviewed by Hank Ohs 10/2014