Fall 2011 was quite the time for music.
We had releases from Bjork, Feist, Wild Flag, and St. Vincent.
Unfortunately, I'm still buying or trying to acquire music from Fall
2011. This week, I was finally able to get a hold of Strange Mercy.
I've listened to all of the songs on this album before I bought it
(thanks to another wonderful NPR streaming concert), but while I was
listening, I suddenly realized that this would be one of the better
albums of the year. I did not know it then, but this album is
extremely well crafted. Although the album is somewhat sort at 40
minutes, all eleven songs flow very well into one another. The lyrics
are all outstanding, and once again, Annie Clark delivers. Strange
Mercy is not quite a departure from her past two albums, but Strange
Mercy is very consistent, and that is always welcome in the music
world.
Track By Track Review.
Chloe In The Afternoon
The first thing that I notice about this
song is it's similarity to some other songs that Clark has worked on
in the past, but at the same time, this song is entirely new and
refreshing to listen to. I only wish that this song was a little bit
longer. Although it is a great lead track, this song could easily
been extended by another minute or two. Despite that, I like it.
Cruel
Cruel starts as soon as the last song
ended. The opening is somewhat strange transitioning from the last
song into this one, but the awkwardness wears off about a quarter way
through. Cruel also gives us the first taste of of the signature St.
Vincent guitar sound. The solo about halfway though is just enough to
keep me listening and just short enough to flow into the next verse.
This song is very danceable, and that is interesting. You wouldn't
really expect to dance to a St. Vincent song, but I guess the
danceability creates some variety.
Cheerleader
Again, the opening is strange flowing
from the next song, but again, it really does not matter when the
song progresses. This song starts off slow, but it creates the
prefect mood for this song. The lyrics really stand out on this song
in particular because, of the tempo. It isn't necessary a slow song,
but it isn't a fast song, this is why I like it so much. It has just
enough of a leeway to keep me listening and at the same time, it
holds my attention and keeps me from skipping to the next song.
Surgeon
Surgeon was the first single from
Strange Mercy. When I heard it this summer on the local indie radio
station, I thought “ I know this voice, but who is it? This can't
be St. Vincent. This really isn't her style” After a short web
search to confirm my examination, My instincts were in fact correct:
it was St. Vincent. This is a pretty good pick for a single, it has
the good pace, fascinating lyrics, and a really amazing solo near the
end. I really didn't expect it the first time I heard it. And right
when it gets good, it ends and slows down for a second or two. An
even better transition into the next song. I wish this was done
earlier in the album.
Northern Lights
Again, I really don't like the first :25
seconds or so of the opening, but everything else in this song is
pretty solid. I really don't know why the opening is so strange to
me, the rest of the song is really amazing in fact. The lyrics are
very interesting, and the drum repetition gives this song character.
Another really good quick solo and then a fade out to the next song.
This time it is even better than the first songs with this effect.
Strange Mercy
I also heard this one on the local indie
radio station really late at night. I really liked it when I first
heard it. Thinking to myself again, I got it right “Now, this is
St. Vincent. Fatigue can't trick me this time, this hast to be St.
Vincent. The style and everything is just like her past albums”.
And that was correct. This is one of the slower songs on this album,
but at the same time it has an almost “glossy” character to it.
On this song in particular, I can really hear the influences of
Clark's label mates (Side note: 4AD is know for their ethereal
musical work. Think Bauhaus and the Cocteau Twins) After a short
solo/outro this song is over and we are into the next song, just like
that.
Neutered Fruit
This is another one of my favorites from
this album. It could be because I connect to the lyrics, but it could
also be because this song is composed very well. This song is around
three minutes, but it still has that glossy quality to it that the
previous song has. I also really appreciate the bridge near the
middle of the song. It is light, and consistent, but again, it
doesn't divert my attention to something else. The electric part that comes
in in the second half of the song make this a very captivating
listen. I feel like this was a little too short, but I never want the
good songs to end anyway.
Champagne Year
I haven't had this album for very long
(its only been a day since I bought it) and I already have the lyrics
stuck in my head. It isn't very long, but it flows very fell from the
previous song. Its very light and airy, and I enjoy it.
Dilettante
Another one of my favorites from this
album. I also heard this one on the local indie radio station when I
should have been asleep (I listen to a lot of indie radio, we have a
pretty good station here in town). I would have switched this song
with Cruel, but even without my edit, this song is in a pretty good
place on this album. It is just slow enough to listen to, but well
crafted.
Hysterical Strength
Hysterical Strength breaks up the
metonymy of the previous four or songs, and brings back the danceable
qualities of Cruel and combines them with the glossiness of the the
previous songs. The ending really picks the speed back up, and
provides a good pathway into the final song.
Year Of The Tiger
Clark said that this was about the year
of the tiger, or in other words 2010. Basically it was a bad year for
a lot of people, and it is loosely based around that notion. You
don't have to think about a really upsetting year to enjoy this song
though. I think Year of The Tiger combines the best of each song on
the album, and creates a really nice ending.
Overall, this is a really great album.
It is basically everything that I wanted to hear from Indie Rock
raped into one album (well except Wild Flag, that is a story for
another day...). Strange Mercy is well crafted and very enjoyable to
listen to. I'm still kind of upset that I missed Clark's Boulder
concert, but the album is so well crafted, it is fine if I did. If
you find this album on a end of the year chart, don't be surprised,
it deserves to be there. This is another album that I recommend, go
buy it now!
