Collegiate Times

Once, Chan Marshall wanted to be the greatest. Now, it seems all she wants to be is Bob Dylan.

Marshall, the enigmatic singer and songwriter who tours and records under the moniker of Cat Power, has had her share of ups and downs in her musical career. Since the release of her 1995 debut "Dear Sir," Marshall has worn two very different masks: one of the critically acclaimed darling of the minimalist music movement, and the other of an addict whose live performances often hovered somewhere between the curiously disappointing and the disturbingly terrible.

By all indications, and through her own assurance, Marshall is now sober, and, save for a few tongue-in-cheek references to her desire to be a cast member on SNL, is now totally focused on making music. The change has been clear, with some of the most acclaimed live shows of her career coming in the years since she has been on the wagon.

With 2008's "Jukebox," a kind of sequel to "The Covers Record" from 2000, Marshall has taken some of her newfound zeal for live performance into the studio, cranking out a solid collection of covers that have a distinct performance atmosphere to them.

Marshall kicks things off with an inspired interpretation of John Kander and Fred Ebb's classic "New York, New York." There's no Sinatra-style grandeur on this one, just some bluesy guitar and a fierce drum beat to compliment Marshall's sultry and arresting vocals.

Hank Williams' "Ramblin' Man" is next on the block, with Marshall flipping the gender on its side and renaming the song "Ramblin' (Wo)Man." Williams' trademark yodel may be gone, but the feelings of bitterness and self-reproach elicited by the lyrics still shine through clear as day.

Marshall then proceeds to cover herself, turning in an updated version of "Metal Heart" that spurns the lone guitar and drums combination of the version from 1998's "Moon Pix" in favor of a solemn-sounding piano backed by an angry guitar and a drum beat that slowly builds in momentum until the song reaches its explosive crescendo.

The only drawback here is Marshall's vocal performance, during which she sounds a bit strained at times. Purists will most likely prefer the original, but this is no doubt an interesting interpretation of one of Marshall's best original songs. Marshall is at her best while covering Lee Clayton's "Silver Stallion," a tune popularized in 1990 by The Highwaymen. Like most of the other tracks on the album, Marshall succeeds in making the track all her own, putting together a fine interpretation that is absolutely beautiful in its sparseness.

Another standout is a cover of Dylan's "I Believe in You." Here Marshall is spurred on in her lyrical tribute to the victor inside her by a punchy drumbeat that works nicely with the bluesy feel of the song.

Marshall even goes so far as to do a droll impersonation of Dylan on "Song to Bobby," the only original piece on the album besides "Metal Heart." Here we hear Marshall pay homage to Dylan at his most raspy, making for a fitting tribute to America's folk hero that is a little humorous to boot.

Those who purchase the deluxe version of the album are treated to a bonus disc containing five extra tracks, including oddities such as a cover of the Hot Boys' "I Feel" and a taste of Cat Power with some Latin flair on "Angelitos Negritos."

All in all, "Jukebox" is a worthy addition to Cat Power's discography, but purists may spurn the disc in favor of the decidedly more electric albums of Marshall's past. In any case, the covers are interesting, and most definitely worth a listen.

Grade: B+