Cat Power

'You Are Free'

Matador Records

Grade: A

The latest release from Cat Power, a.k.a. singer/songwriter Chan Marshall, is a swirl of emotion soothed by Marshall's chalky, sultry voice, which floats over superior musical arrangements. On her sixth release, and first of original material since 1998's "Moon Pix," Marshall uses her stunning voice to showcase her startling, yet very real lyrics.

The album's first song, "I Don't Blame You," which some say is about Kurt Cobain, opens the CD with a mournfully beautiful sound, highlighted by lyrics like, "Just because they knew your name / Doesn't mean they know from where you came / What a sad trick you thought you had to play / But I don't blame you." The achingly enchanting lyrics showcase Marshall's struggle to understand a chaotic world.

Much of the album features simple, yet striking melodies. In particular, "Maybe Not" and "Names" juxtapose Marshall's strong voice with an unadorned keyboard tune that slowly twists the listener's heart -- so slowly one may not even notice it. Songs like "Free" and the first single, "He War," features a more rocking soundtrack to back up Marshall's voice, including drums by Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters. I say back up because her voice is always the focus and true heart of the songs, even when Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder joins her and sings backup vocals on a few tracks.

"He War" opens with a line that draws the listener in: "I never meant to be the needle that broke your back," while the musical arrangement retains the grip throughout the song. The surface layer of Marshall's lyrics may seem obvious, but it is also apparent that there is much more meaning deep beneath the first layer. A prime example is from "Shaking Paper:" "Hold the gun / Way deep down / Lookout young son / A good thing is coming / Big shots with no guns / Big shot army with no army at all." As if it has not been emphasized enough, hearing these words through Marshall's powerfully haunting voice makes them that much more multifaceted and profound.

Marshall has a knack for completely refiguring already great songs, as was seen on her last album, "The Covers Record," which features covers of songs from musicians like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. On "You Are Free," Marshall covers John Lee Hooker's "Crawlin' Black Spider" under the name "Keep On Runnin," and succeeds in turning it into a hauntingly beautiful Cat Power interpretation of a former blues song.

Marshall's album seems to struggle with an understanding of music and love and their meaning in life and death. Although the songs may seem simple and quiet, their message is anything but.