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St. Vincent’s new album–Actor–is out today via 4AD. Annie Clark’s newest effort finds her trading in some of the dazzling sweetness and light that made her first effort–Marry Me–such a success. Actor shows off the same volume of sheer talent as its predecessor, but if Marry Me was as bright as day, then Actor is a dark little storm cloud. Example: third track, The Neigbors, begins with an airy melody but underneath the surface percussion booms like thunder. The song quickly moves from melodic order to fuzzy guitar chaos and back again. Miss Clark is not content with writing a straightforward pop song; she does all she can to undermine the lovely moments she creates. This is true of the entire record. The album is ordered around the idea that beneath the beautiful mask lurks darkness. (See album cover). Songs build up with lovely strings, woodwinds and vocals only to be destroyed by driving guitars and darker melodies. The way St. Vincent brings them all back together is what seperates her from many of her contemporaries. Hers is a world where darkness and light coexist, working together to bring shape and focus to the images and stories. MP3 for The Neighbors below. Go and buy Actor at a record store or online.
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St. Vincent -The Neighbors mp3
Nate Wolff loves music and writes haphazardly.
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2 Responses to “New St. Vincent: Actor”
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Going to see her on the 21st at the First Unitarian Church! W00T!
That album cover is very unnerving. I like it.