Artist: Cat Power Album: What Would the Community Think

Year: 1996
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: What Would the Community Think by Cat Power

In 1996, Cat Power, also known as Chan Marshall, released her third album What Would the Community Think. The album was well-received by critics and fans alike and helped solidify Marshall's status as a prominent figure in the indie rock scene. But how does the album hold up over two decades later? In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at What Would the Community Think, including a brief history of Cat Power, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critique.

Cat Power first hit the music scene in the early 90s, quickly garnering attention for her unique style and expressive vocals. Her music is often described as indie rock, but it also incorporates elements of folk, blues, and soul. What Would the Community Think is a perfect example of this genre-blending, with songs that feature twangy guitar riffs, soulful melodies, and Marshall's signature raw, emotive vocals.

The album's opening track, In This Hole, is a standout, with its haunting opening guitar riff and Marshall's commanding vocals. The lyrics of the song explore the feelings of isolation and loneliness that come with being an outsider, a theme that recurs throughout the album. Other standout tracks include Good Clean Fun, which features a catchy guitar riff and a fun, upbeat melody, and What Would the Community Think, which showcases Marshall's impressive vocal range.

One of the most innovative parts of What Would the Community Think is the way Marshall uses silence and space in her music. Many of the songs on the album feature long stretches of silence, punctuated by bursts of sound or vocals. This creates a sense of tension and suspense that adds to the emotional impact of the songs. It's a testament to Marshall's songwriting skills that she's able to use a technique as simple as silence to create such a powerful effect.

However, the album is not without its flaws. Some of the songs on What Would the Community Think feel incomplete or underdeveloped, as if they were rushed to production. The album's production quality is also somewhat uneven, with some tracks sounding muffled or low-fi in comparison to others. These issues detract from the overall listening experience and prevent What Would the Community Think from being a truly great album.

Despite its flaws, What Would the Community Think remains an important album in Cat Power's discography and in the indie rock genre as a whole. Its innovative use of silence and space, emotive vocals, and genre-blending elements make it a must-listen for fans of indie rock and alternative music. While it may not be a perfect album, it's still a powerful and moving expression of Cat Power's unique style and creative vision.