First, what "Middle Cyclone" is not: it is not some middle-of-the-road, somnambulant, Starbucks-sipping soundtrack. Nor is it alt-countrified, a tag Neko Case [ tickets ] once happily invited upon herself years ago. With 2006's astoundingly good "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood," Neko Case anted up, coming into her own in a big way. No longer was she the New Pornographers' stand-by belter, slam-dunking their better songs with her ballsy wail. Now she was woman, and you were to hear her roar.

"Middle Cyclone" is an extension of the "Fox Confessor" sound, a simultaneously intense and laid-back blend of styles that's easy on the ears but far more substantive than it might initially sound. Barging out of the gate like a locomotive melody machine, "This Tornado Loves You" sets the pace, followed quickly by "The Next Time You Say Forever" and "People Got A Lotta Nerve," both instant classics. And it just doesn't let up from there, rewarding exponentially with repeated listens.

Let's face it, this woman's the full package: she's got great taste in covers; her guest appearances consistently steal the show; she's musically adventurous; that voice, Christ almighty, that voice; and she's downright gorgeous, to boot.

Even down to the uber-cool touch of closing your record with a 31-minute marsh cricket field recording, after a three-year wait "Middle Cyclone" does not disappoint. Eventually, after the world's Cat Powers and Norah Joneses fall by the wayside and leave only the heavyweight talents standing, Neko Case will most assuredly be towering hands-on-hips above the harmless and ineffectual.