ST. VINCENT – ST VINCENT
If a modern day Mount Rushmore for the women of indie music was erected (not a bad idea for a posting…stay tuned) there’s no doubt Annie Clark would garner her fair share of the discussion. Better known to the masses as St. Vincent, she has created a sound all her own by cultivating various elements into a wild chamber of pop-rock explosion. Raised in Dallas, Texas she learned to play guitar at twelve before working through her teens as the tour manager for her uncle’s band. She had a three year stint at Boston’s Berklee College of Music before returning to the lone star state. Shortly after her homecoming she joined the rock army that is the Polyphonic Spree. In 2006 Clark left TPS to tour as part of musical mastermind, Sufjan Stevens’ band.
After nearly a year on the road Annie began her transition to St. Vincent. Originating from Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center where poet Dylan Thomas died in 1953. Deciding a place where ‘poetry goes to die’ fit her persona perfectly. She took the moniker after hearing it in Nick Cave’s ‘There She Goes My Beautiful World’. In July of 2007 she released her debut Marry Me (yes, it’s an homage to the Arrested Development line) to rave reviews. Since her beginning she shared the attention commanding sounds shared by her former associated acts, but with her own added flair. She has since recorded and released 2009’s Actor, Strange Mercy two years later, and collaborated with former Talking Heads’ lead singer David Bryne on Love This Giant in 2012.
In St. Vincent’s opening song ‘Rattlesnake’ it’s easy to picture the violet-tinged curls bouncing along to “sweatin, sweatin” in a Walking Dead-esque summer heat. The guitar sliding track delivers her voice and brings the scene to life. On December 9th, 2013 St. Vincent announced the upcoming album release and immediately uploaded “Birth in Reverse” for free download. The track is a manic mashing of 80s dance party meets raw Sublime-like lyrics that create a get up and go energy that won’t be ignored on any set list during her upcoming tour. Annie’s lingering voice carries the Pinocchio-like fairytale driven track, ‘Prince Johnny’ channeling early works from the First Lady of Pop, Madonna. The Disney theme isn’t new to St. Vincent as she has stated that her sophomore album Actor was inspired by many of their films.
Beginning with the fifth track, Digital Witness, the album really becomes magical. The second single off her self-titled album came in mid-January. The horn rich track demands “give me all of your mind, I want all of your mind” and there’s no negotiation. Movement invoking instruments leave the listener spellbound, with no choice but to nod along to beat. Not ready to release her captive audience, St. V serenades on ‘I Prefer Your Love’ over simple drums and strings. The song discusses her closeness with her mother, written when her mom was ill (she has since recovered). What is left is a sigh of relief and a beautiful account of their bond. ‘Bring Me Your Loves’ channels tUnE-yArDs like afro-beat looping reverbs into one of the more electronic selections on the album. The electric feel continues of the remaining three songs. Throughout the album, St. Vincent shows off her amazing musical range and leaves the listener in an entranced fog. The only negative would be St. Vincent could have been better tracked. The different sounds often come one after another and can come away as choppy.
It’s no coincidence that Miss Clark is sitting on a futuristic throne of the cover of St. Vincent. It’s a royal seat she’s commanded time and time again with each new venture. It may be time to crown the new queen of indie pop-rock.
Top Tracks
Top Tracks
Digital Witness
I Prefer Your Love
Regret
Rattlesnake
Psychopath
B Rating: 86
R Rating: 89
Overall: 87.5
Local Dates: Saturday 03/08/14 w. Noveller at The Tabernacle
Like this album? Try….from 2013
Born Ruffians – Birthmarks
Glasser – Interiors
Bats for Lashes – The Haunted Man
Au Revoir Simone – Move in Spectrums
The Polyphonic Spree – Yes, It’s True
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