Blacklisted
Neko Case · 2002
39 min · 14 tracks · country music
Haunting melodies intertwine with raw storytelling, creating a tapestry of Americana-infused indie rock that feels both intimate and expansive.
Top tracks — play these first
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Deep Red Bells — This track exemplifies Case's lyrical depth and emotional resonance, using vivid imagery to convey a haunting sense of nostalgia and regret.
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I Wish I Was the Moon — With its poignant exploration of desire and longing, this song showcases Case's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Things That Scare Me — This opening track sets the tone for the album, combining unsettling introspection with an infectious melody that captures Case's unique blend of vulnerability and strength.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Neko Case's 'Blacklisted' combines strong songwriting with rich arrangements, creating an emotionally resonant experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a haunting vocal line that sets a somber tone, and the first three tracks maintain a slow to mid-tempo pace.
- Several songs feature layered instrumentation, with strings and subtle percussion enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The final track is a reprise of an earlier piece, creating a cyclical structure that reinforces the themes of longing and reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting, introspective listening sessions
- dynamic flow with resolution
- short, immersive emotional journeys
- wave-like pacing throughout album
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Neko Case released Blacklisted in 2002, she was transitioning from her earlier work with the band The New Pornographers to a more defined solo career. This album followed her critically acclaimed breakout, Furnace Room Lullaby, and showcased her growing confidence as a songwriter and vocalist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Laura Veirs· Jenny Lewis· Phoebe Bridgers
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Things That Scare Me 2:30
- 2 Deep Red Bells 4:03
- 3 Outro With Bees 1:35
- 4 Lady Pilot 2:26
- 5 Tightly 2:16
- 6 Look for Me (I’ll Be Around) 3:21
- 7 Stinging Velvet 2:55
- 8 Pretty Girls 3:25
- 9 I Missed the Point 1:52
- 10 Blacklisted 2:22
- 11 I Wish I Was the Moon 3:34
- 12 Runnin’ Out of Fools 3:05
- 13 Ghost Wiring 3:54
- 14 Outro With Bees (reprise) 2:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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