Neko Case
Prpbably the "hippest" and most critically acclaimed of the moder chanteuses, Neko Case has a great career going as both a solo artist, with Her Boyfriends, and as a member of such great bands as The Corn Sisters, The Sadies, Maow, and - most popularly - The New Pornographers.
She combines great songwriting skill with a voice that easily swims between rock, country, folk and pop...once you hear Neko Case sing you will not soon forget her.
She can do straight girly pop with a band like Maow:
Ms. Leferve
Then with The New Pornographers, she goes back and forth between lead vocals and backing vocals with ease...
With the New Pornographers:
Letter From an Occupant
Your Daddy Don't Know
My Rights Vs. Yours
The Bleeding Heart Show (live) (you might know this one - it was used in a huge national commercial - most people know it as the "Hey La" song)
Compare this to her solo work, especially from her latest,
Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. Her solo songs have a more country feel to them and her voice has a clean, clear beautiful lilt that is perfectly seductive:
Maybe Sparrow
Hold On, Hold On (live)
Live performance from Austin City Limits
I could go on and on...she is a remarkable talent and one everyone in The Lounge should get to know! Start with her solo albums
Fox Confessor and
Blacklisted, then check out her side projects like The New Pornographers'
Twin Cinema.