Search - Casey Scott :: Creep City

An out-of-print gem

Pavla V. | 09/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This weird, wonderful, largely unclassifiable debut can be likened to the various sounds of Patti Smith, Maggie Estep, Kristin Hersh, Courtney Love, Suzanne Vega and Poe, but Casey Scott has a style all her own: a dizzying blend of punk, alternative pop, folk and spoken word poetry. This album can sneak up on you in ways you might not expect, putting you off guard with unexpected (some might say manic-depressive) shifts in intensity and tone. Experimental indeed, but unlike most musical experiments, these songs work surprisingly well, thanks to a rich collection of catchy riffs and Scott's sometimes funny, sometimes frightening, always provocative lyrics.The moody and dangerous title track, "Creep City," tells a tale of life in an increasingly fascist state, while "Paradise Lost and Found" satirizes relationships in a clever, bizarre, tragi-comic fashion. "Sharp Metal Objects," perhaps the most moving song on the album, paints a hypnotic but harrowing picture of life in a mental institution, and "The 7th of November" puts a unique and heartbreaking spin on the theme of unrequited love. All thirteen songs are worth a listen, and taken together, they make for a poignant exploration of human frailty. It's unfortunate that this album didn't get a wider release. With so few copies out there, it's not easy to find, but if you can get your hands on one, you'll be glad you did. Highly recommended."