ARTIST:
ST. VINCENT


ALBUM:
STRANGE MERCY


KEY TRACKS:
CHLOE IN THE AFTERNOON
CRUEL
SURGEON
NEUTERED FRUIT


"I've had good times, with some bad guys..."


The cover art strongly suggests the content within.  St. Vincent's Annie Clark sounds more ghostly than ever in her newest album, Strange Mercy.  Her voice is haunting yet oddly calm over her intricate guitar riffs.  Annie is one of the most talented guitarists in my musical library and I can never get enough of her distortions.  But even more satisfying is how sludgy she can make her instruments sound and how it gives a perfect contrast to the lightness of her voice.  

I love Annie Clark.   Not just because her music is great, but because she shows that pretty girls can rock the fuck out too.  This album proves that point even more than her previous two efforts.  The sound here is definitely darker and moodier with less reliance on electronics and more on Clark's manic guitar riffs.  


Even Clark's lyrics are more suggestive this time around.  Chloe in the Afternoon is an outright ode to adultery.  Here the focus is on "horse-hair whips", "no kisses no real needs", "send you home" then "back to work".  Annie's soft voice smooths over the lyrics while she shreds her guitar in contrast.  There's a duality here, and throughout the album between good and evil.  Sweet and sour.  But in this case it oscillates between gentle and brash.   


Cruel is definitely the catchiest on the album.  I've often found myself whistling that oh so catchy chorus line at work (most likely driving my officemates insane) so it definitely works its way in.  

Another particularly great track is Surgeon, which was a grower for me.  At first it's a bit too eerie, but then Clark's fretwork kicks in for the chorus and really ignites the track.  "Best finest surgeon" she says, "come cut me open": a line taken from an actual Marilyn Monroe quote.  The repetitive chorus in this track almost sounds like a challenge when I hear it.  All throughout the song Annie Clark talks about all the dull behaviors she does just to "get along, get along, get along" like laying in bed, sifting through mail piles, staying inside.  It's almost like this skilled surgeon she keeps calling to is going to cut out all the dullness in life.         


The bass line in the oddly named "Neutered Fruit" is also quite addicting. It's the St. Vincent that I'm used to hearing, ghostly chorus lines mixed in with equally haunting vocals, and heavy instrumentals.  


Like I said, I love Annie Clark.  Not just because of her talent, but because she's not afraid to push boundaries for female artists.  We need more gutsy eccentric artists like her.  There aren't enough.  There simply aren't enough.  

LISTEN:  CHLOE IN THE AFTERNOON | CRUEL | SURGEON | NEUTERED FRUIT 

NEXT WEEK:  WASHED OUT | WITHIN AND WITHOUT

ARTIST:
Cat Power


ALBUM:
The Greatest


KEY TRACKS:
The Greatest
Where is My Love
Living Proof






"Anyone can tell you there's no road left to ride."

Much like a fine wine, Chan Marshall's music is an acquired taste.  Better known by her moniker Cat Power, Marshall's music is subtle but refined.  Heavy lyrics are accompanied by minimalist guitar strums or simple piano chords.  

Cat Power's records are usually guitar driven, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear piano on the opening track.  Furthermore, there's usually a sense of bitterness to her style best represented on the track Hate but not much anywhere else.  

But just because the aggressive sound is gone, doesn't take away from Mashall's ability to write raw and intense lyrics.  "Lower me down, pin me in" Marshall croons in the album's title track.   Empty Shell is another fine example, "all that is left is an empty shell of my heart that is crushed".  Heavy, heavy lyrics from a complex woman dealing with very serious issues.


The stand out track on the album (and also seemingly the happiest), Where is my Love reveals a softer side of Cat Power.  The piano notes rise and fall in delicate scales, and Marshall's soft lyrics are the perfect addition. 


In the long run, this album strayed a bit from my usual tastes.  This was one of those albums that gave me that general sense that something is going on here that is way beyond what I can relate to.  And it's true that this woman's history is full of deep dark holes that only she can truly understand.  


But then again, maybe it's like that fine wine mentioned earlier and maybe appreciation will only come with maturity.  

LISTEN NOW:  WHERE IS MY LOVE  |  LIVING PROOF  |  THE GREATEST

NEXT WEEK:  The Incredible String Band |  Wee Tam and the Big Huge

ARTIST:

Broken Social Scene

ALBUM:

Forgiveness Rock Record

KEY TRACKS:

Meet Me in the Basement

Forced to Love

World Sick

"Well if you think about it, you're a fool, yeah."  

Broken Social Scene Circa 2006

The above mentioned lyric could not be more true about this dynamic (and enormous) ensemble from Canada.  Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning's Broken Social Scene have been around for quite a while, paving the way for other major acts like Stars and Feist.  What’s interesting to me about them is that despite the years and the constant flux of band members, BSS has managed still to maintain at its core a cohesive musical identity.  

All the sounds that originally drew fans in, are present in this most recent album: the understated lyrics (Ungrateful Little Father), fluttering strings, the distant guitar twangs (Highway Slipper Jam; Art House Director), and the ever present white noise of electronics buzzing in the background (All to All).  Although the lyrics are wonderful, for me the true beauty is in the lovely and understated instrumentals peppering the tracks.  

Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning

What I love most about BSS is that they’re not a cerebral band, It’s not a band that wants you to pick apart it’s lyrics.  It’s melodic, mysterious, and cryptic, without pushing it which adds more to the music.  It’s a mindset, a sense that everything is cool, everything is good.  Tying in with the above featured lyric, you’re a fool to spend your time listening simply for the lyric meaning when really the true beauty is in the lush melodies and vocals.  That being said, the true triumph of the album is the instrumental gem Meet Me in the Basement.  My god the drums in this track!  This album’s been out awhile now.  If you haven’t given yourself the pleasure of listening to it. DO.   

                                   LISTEN NOW:  Meet Me in the Basement  |  Forced to Love  |  Water in Hell

NEXT WEEK |  Massive Attack  |  Heligoland