#2 Album: St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

It is more than understandable that Annie Clark is perhaps the most lusted-after woman in indie-rock today (she tops the list of Stereogum‰’s top indie crushes of 2011), but for slightly less obvious reasons than one might suppose. Beyond her stunningly good looks, skin so-fair-it’s-not-fair, impeccable style, and impressive musicianship (any of which would be more than enough for anyone, including me), Clark‰’s attractiveness lies in something far more complex and fascinating displayed on her third studio album: her undeniably intelligent, incredibly sexy, and fascinatingly modern themes and lyrics, delivered playfully dark, coy, and aloof style.

These musings/lustings aside (for now) Strange Mercy is easily Clark‰’s most fully-formed musical vision. Her diverse palette effortlessly blends cinematic orchestration and groovy snyth funk to create a sound uniquely modern and inventive. Clark is clearly a master of her craft, weaving dense choral and orchestral arrangements with melodic hooks and gnarly distorted guitar riffs. And while complex musicality oftentimes bogs down overambitious indie bands, Clark manages to juggle the more offbeat moments with the familiar, never forgetting the power of an irresistible guitar hook or a hypnotizing beat. There isn‰’t a dull moment on the record, as each three-part harmony gives way to a barrage of fuzzy hooks, which is layered upon a string section, which is layered upon a funky bass line. The album is dark, hypnotizing, and innovative, and demonstrates Clark‰’s compositional genius as she creates an record of film-noir-funk uniquely her own.

Clark‰’s attractiveness would be obvious to anyone (this is fact not hyperbole). But besides the surface image of girl-with-guitar-writes-elaborate-art-pop (again, certainly enough to entice a fair deal of worshippers), the subconscious key to her swoon-inducing lies with her creative, clever, eloquent, and suggestive lyrical content coupled with her beautiful, strange, haunting vocal delivery. And however intimate the songs become, Clark remains slightly removed, always toying with her male prey with a sideways grin that shows that she knows exactly the effects that her doe-eyed approach has on men. If Strange Mercy is any indication, Clark is still laughing with a mouthful of blood, and she knows the future has big plans for her.

By Maxwell Tani

#2 Song: St. Vincent – “Cruel”

Ever wonder what would happen if Disney princesses joined the ranks of a brain-eating army of zombies? If so, one thing can be sure, St. Vincent has the sound track to this hypothetical zombie classic covered. And the song, “Cruel,” the second track off of St. Vincent‰’s newest album, Strange Mercy, would be the opening song. The juxtaposition of St. Vincent‰’s angelic vocals with her crunchy guitar riffs invents a distinctive mood unlike any other track this year. You can‰’t help but be creeped out, enchanted and driven to dance around the room all at the same time when listening to “Cruel.” And personally I can‰’t help but create this princess-zombie drama in my head every time I hear this track. It‰’s impossible not to picture Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty staggering after you in their torn gowns, chanting along to this song.

By Cassie Wiegmann