Strange Mercy.

I've spent more money on St. Vincent in the past week than I have any other artist all year, even Bon Iver.

J. and I went down to Waterloo last weekend, where I picked up Strange Mercy on vinyl. We played it on the turntable, and I was instantly in love. So much so that the next day, I went and


bought the actual CD. I couldn't not have it on my iPod.

We all remember Actor (2009), St. Vincent's sophomore album.



I liked it a lot too, but Strange Mercy blows it out of the water.
Strange Mercy is more calm and collected, and shows a raw side of Annie Clark that Actor and Marry Me (2008) didn't even begin to cover. Clark's use of gritty guitar parts takes unsuspecting songs from demure to down and dirty real fast. "Neutered Fruit" is a prime example. For the most part, the song is floaty and dream-like, but the guitar lends the song a sudden ferocity. So, so good.

You should really go pick up this album. It's completely worth the money. Hell, I bought the CD and the vinyl.

'Til next time.