Case moved around often as a child, spending the largest part of her youth in Tacoma, Washington. She left her parents at age 15 and three years later she started playing drums for several bands around the Northwest's punk rock scene. In 1994, she moved to Vancouver, BC to enter art school, and simultaneously joined the punk group Maow, who released a record on the Mint label. She also played with roots rockers the Weasles, and eventually formed her own backing band, the Boyfriends, which initially featured alumni of the Softies, Zumpano, and Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
Case released her solo debut, The Virginian, in 1997, delving wholeheartedly into traditional country via a mix of covers and originals. She went on to perform with Carolyn Mark in the old-timey side project the Corn Sisters, and recorded with the Vancouver indie supergroup the New Pornographers, which she continues to be a member of. In 1998, Case completed her studies and, with her student visa expired, returned to Washington and began work on her second solo album. The lovely, melancholy Furnace Room Lullaby was released on Bloodshot Records in 2000 and won high praise from most critics.
Case subsequently relocated to Chicago, home of a thriving alt-country scene, and released the home-recorded Canadian Amp EP in 2001. Its moody, late-night ambiance carried over to 2002's Blacklisted, a darker yet more eclectic affair; it garnered Case her strongest reviews up to that point, making many year-end critics' polls, and landed her a tour slot opening for Nick Cave. Blacklisted was recorded at Wavelab Studio in Tuscon AZ, where Case had moved to in 2002.
In 2004, Case signed with Anti Records in the United States, and that year she released a live album, The Tigers Have Spoken, recorded during several dates with Canadian surf-country band the Sadies.
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, hailed by critics as an instant classic and Case's most realized work yet, followed in 2006. Calexico's Joey Burns and John Convertino contributed guitar, cello, bass, and drums to the album.
On March 3, 2009, Case released Middle Cyclone. It was her first album to reach the top ten's on the Billboard charts in the US.
Middle Cyclone was followed by "The worse things get, the harder I fight, the harder I fight, the more I love you" which came out September 4th 2013.
Case now lives on her farm in Vermont.
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Neko Case Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can people not know what beauty this is
I've taken it for granted my whole life
Since the day I was born
Clouds hang on these curves like me
And I kneel to the wheel
Of the fox confessor on splendid heels
And on my guilty feet
I follow him in retreat
What purpose in these deeds
Oh fox confessor please
Who married me to these orphaned blues
"It's not for you to know, but for you to weep and wonder
When the death of your civilization precedes you."
Will I ever see you again
Will there be no one above me to put my faith in
I flooded my sleeves as I drove home again
In "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," Neko Case poetically tells the story of a person driving home, witnessing the beauty of the flooded fields around them. They reflect on how they've taken this beauty for granted, seeming to realize the importance of recognizing and appreciating the beauty in life. Along the way, they encounter the Fox Confessor, a mysterious figure who seems to possess some sort of higher knowledge. The Fox Confessor shames the singer and forces them to follow him in retreat, urging them to weep and wonder as they witness the death of their civilization. The singer ponders the purpose of these events, but it seems that the Fox Confessor has the answers, keeping them a secret.
There are several interpretations for the meaning behind this song. Some believe that it’s about the nature of beauty and how easily it can be taken for granted, while others believe it’s a statement on the inevitable decline of society. Whatever the meaning may be, "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" remains a haunting and beautiful piece of music that invites listeners to contemplate life's larger mysteries.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving home I see those flooded fields
As I drive home, I witness the inundated fields.
How can people not know what beauty this is
I fail to understand why people cannot see the beauty in this sight.
I've taken it for granted my whole life
I have always failed to appreciate this beauty in my life.
Since the day I was born
This has been the case from the day I was born.
Clouds hang on these curves like me
Like me, the clouds cling to these curves in the landscape.
And I kneel to the wheel
I humbly submit to the supremacy of the wheel I am driving.
Of the fox confessor on splendid heels
I submit to the leadership of the wise fox that guides me.
And he shames me from my seat
The fox, from his position of authority, makes me feel guilty in my seat.
And on my guilty feet
As I feel guilty, I stand on my feet.
I follow him in retreat
I retreat, following the wise fox in his guidance.
What purpose in these deeds
I wonder what the purpose of these deeds is.
Oh fox confessor please
I plead with the fox confessor for clarity.
Who married me to these orphaned blues
I inquire of the fox confessor who is responsible for my melancholic state.
"It's not for you to know, but for you to weep and wonder
"You are not meant to know, but to instead lament and contemplate,
When the death of your civilization precedes you."
About the impending doom of civilization that looms ahead of you."
Will I ever see you again
I wonder whether I will ever see you again, wise fox confessor.
Will there be no one above me to put my faith in
I ponder if there will be nobody in a higher position that I can trust.
I flooded my sleeves as I drove home again
I am emotionally overwhelmed and have tears streaming down my face as I drive home again.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mister Midnight
So much beauty and brilliance in just over 2 and a half minutes! Everything about this album is a wonder to hear!!
Diamond Dave
One of my favorite albums ever. Like a long time friend
Brandon Elliott
This track just....oh my god.
Robin Gallagher
Best ,best album. Beautiful.
sam randolph
That Howe Gelb guitar.