THE SKINNY: St. Vincent is like having a nightmare with sex somehow happening simultaneously. WEBSITE: http://www.ilovestvincent.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/st_vincent
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/stvincent
PURCHASE: Amazon
Annie Clark, the multi-instrumentalist behind St. Vincent, is probably suffocating under the steady stream of positive press she has been receiving since the release of her second full-length album Actor. Therefore, one would believe the need for more compliments from the Praise For Wallflower staff would be at a minimum. Well, sadly for her, she is going to receive said compliments anyway.
Clark's talents not only as a player, but an arranger of music, are clearly exemplified on her sophomore release. It is so difficult to describe the sound of her music in terms of style and genre. A film scoring major might be better suited to review her material, as her sound encompasses a variety of instruments. The best way to describe her sound is to say that each second is so carefully detailed and noted. There are highs and lows, but Clark never loses sight of the big picture. Actor is carefully woven together by someone who is well aware of what they are doing.
Clark says that, while writing Actor, she drew inspiration from films such as "Annie Hall." It's an influence that is palpable throughout all of the album. I cannot help but feel that Clark slaved over each note on this album, achieving a level of precision that is will beyond her years. Even when she takes a solo, though it sounds rugged and careless, it somehow seamlessly eases into the music while not distracting you from all that surrounds it.
The following might not be relevant for those of you who aren't complete geeks, but for those of you who have ever played the video game "Final Fantasy VII," listen to the last two minutes of "Black Rainbow" and tell me that you don't envision Sephiroth killing Tifa's father at the Mt. Nibel mako reactor. I am dead serious. There is an epic, captivating aura heard in St. Vincent's music, but it is merely a veneer. The music and lyrics have an underlying sinister vibe, a sound that is only intensified by the numbness of her voice. It is best heard in "Marrow." Near the end of the song, Clark repeats "H-E-L-P" so lifelessly, but standing next to an escalating synthesizer it is quite possibly the most frightening 10 seconds I have ever heard.
There isn't much more I can say about St. Vincent that you probably have not already heard, so I'm stopping here. Just listen to Actor. Front to back. Even if you decide it isn't for you, I still think you will be glad you listened to it. If you want to catch St. Vincent live, they will begin touring again starting Sept. 29 in Indianapolis, Ind.
"The Strangers" off of Actor:
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