3. ‘The Greatest’
Cat Power
Matador

A masterfully captivating album from Cat Power (a.k.a Chan Marshall) that finally achieves the artistic potential we’ve always heard about but grew weary of waiting for amid her on-stage meltdowns and concert no-shows. Recorded in Memphis and backed by some of that city’s classic soul architects, Marshall casts her smoky, creosote-and-charcoal voice against a lushly dark backdrop of piano-based songs about heartbreak, love and wonder. All is forgiven, Chan.