Cat Power: Jukebox

Label: Matador

In an ambitious career move, Chan Marshall has decided to release her second covers album, this time paying homage to some of America’s most revered musical heroes, including Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Hank Williams. (The album has one original track as well.) On Jukebox, Chan is backed by her new band, the Dirty Delta Blues, featuring members of the Dirty Three and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Watch out for the opening track, a cover of Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York”, where Marshall elegantly croons and manages to infuse new life into such a classic song. Although hardcore Cat Power fans might be disappointed by the lack of musical contrast and sonic variety on Marshall’s newest offering, Jukebox is still a hugely enjoyable, confident album. How can you go wrong with a voice like that anyway? (Morgane)