Peter Case has dedicated his career to creating and capturing some of the most influential sounds of American music from the past century. Known for his collaborative work in such bands as the early new wavers The Nerves, the Breakaways, and pop rockers Plimsouls, Case’s solo body of work is equally impressive, and his cleverly titled release, The Case Files features 12 demos, out-takes, a live shot and other rarities from the years 1985 to 2010. And when Case dives into his files of archival tapes, it really means something, as he is also a practicing musicologist whose gigs include curating at the Getty Museum in L.A. With passionate delivery, intelligent lyrics touching on the personal and the political, performances that range from a simple acoustic guitar to electric soundscapes, and originals to searing covers of Alejandro Escovedo, Bob Dylan, Kokomo Arnold, and the Rolling Stones (the British exception), Case presents a glorious gamet from the past 25 years. Do yourself a favor and become reacquainted or newly acquainted with Peter Case on this accessible gem. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Kasey Anderson, Malcolm Holcombe, Gary Louris, Scott Miller, John Prine