MUSIC NEWS - Neko Case's acclaimed new album Middle Cyclone, on Anti- Records has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, just behind U2 and Taylor Swift ! This marks the highest opening to date in 2009 by an independent release on Billboard's main album chart. Middle Cyclone (buy copy here) also bows at #1 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart.



Her strong showing is in part to her recent television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC and The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS, as well as widespread critical acclaim for Middle Cyclone. Case kicks off a US tour March 31 at Stubb's BBQ in Austin, TX, and will perform on The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS on April 15 (see itinerary below the break). Neko's last album, 2006's Fox Confessor Brings The Flood debuted at #52 on the Billboard Top 200.



What some of the print critics are saying about Neko Case and Middle Cyclone:



"Her voice is a force of nature." - THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE



"'The best album of her career by a generous margin." - THE NEW YORKER



"America may need Neko Case's back-to-nature fantasias more than ever." Rating: 9 out of 10 - SPIN MAGAZINE