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Based on the premise that she’s both the most “indie rock” artist to appeal to country fans and the most “country” artist to appeal to indie rock fans, Neko Case has managed to piece together a career that’s taken her everywhere from the smallest rock clubs all the way to the Grand Old Opry. She’s a huge personality: a lovable loudmouth who’s unafraid of her own sexuality, an excellent interview and a proud performer who’s always been more at home on stage than in a recording studio. The vibe at Austin City Limits is on the mellow side, and Case’s famous between song banter is almost completely absent. The focus lies squarely on her voice, which is in fine form. She coasts through songs from her ever-growing catalog, accompanied by a perfectly adept band that never tries to steal the spotlight. It’s not her most rousing performance, which is understandable, given the subdued atmosphere, but it might just be the purest evidence that hers is among the finest voices in music.
