St. Vincent - Strange Mercy (2011, 4AD)
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Grooveshark (Track list not in order)
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“I don’t wanna be a cheerleader no more”
That line in the aptly named “Cheerleader”, the third track on Annie Clark (AKA St. Vincent)’s third album, Strange Mercy, sets a very simple tone. But, oh how complex it truly is. Ms. Clark has touched on a number of dark themes throughout her previous two albums, which is what initially attracted me to her work. Songs like “Paris is Burning” and “Black Rainbow” just by their titles give you a pretty easy understanding of what her themes seem to revolve around. But for the most part her albums, while brilliant, have felt almost disconnected from the artist herself. Strange Mercy is far and away the most personal of Annie Clark’s work under the St. Vincent moniker. It’s an understandable step in the normal progression of an artist, but she was so adept at the sardonic style she used on previous albums, that it actually feels like a slight letdown. The album focuses much on her breaking out from the sheltered and protective life of a “safe” woman in society (the cheerleader, the housewife, etc). It also focuses on some of the feelings of hopelessness that not only young women, but young people in general feel. Naivete, ignorance, delusion, and subjugation are themes that crop up throughout the album. It is an album that is at times darkly personally, but also liberating.
That line in the aptly named “Cheerleader”, the third track on Annie Clark (AKA St. Vincent)’s third album, Strange Mercy, sets a very simple tone. But, oh how complex it truly is. Ms. Clark has touched on a number of dark themes throughout her previous two albums, which is what initially attracted me to her work. Songs like “Paris is Burning” and “Black Rainbow” just by their titles give you a pretty easy understanding of what her themes seem to revolve around. But for the most part her albums, while brilliant, have felt almost disconnected from the artist herself. Strange Mercy is far and away the most personal of Annie Clark’s work under the St. Vincent moniker. It’s an understandable step in the normal progression of an artist, but she was so adept at the sardonic style she used on previous albums, that it actually feels like a slight letdown. The album focuses much on her breaking out from the sheltered and protective life of a “safe” woman in society (the cheerleader, the housewife, etc). It also focuses on some of the feelings of hopelessness that not only young women, but young people in general feel. Naivete, ignorance, delusion, and subjugation are themes that crop up throughout the album. It is an album that is at times darkly personally, but also liberating.
Track 1: Chloe In The Afternoon
Annie's guitar playing on this album is relatively unique. It's apparent right in the opening of the first song. Very layered and heavy. Which I liked a lot about this album. This song is much better instrumentally than it is lyrically. Something about the chorus being the repetition of the track title kind of irks me. Just a weird thing to make a chorus out of. Annie's ability when it comes to composing songs is still top notch, which makes this a good song despite my reservations.
Verdict: 7/10
