May 1st 2012 ST. VINCENT - Strange Mercy (4AD/52637 3123-2)
Some people seem to think that a recording that is filled with a dissonant voice singing (mostly) stream of consciousness lyrics over synthesizer clatter is art. Annie Clark moans, squawks… whatever, about mostly pretentious rubbish. If you like lines like the following from “Neutered Fruit”: I ate flowers in the backyard/Bought finely neutered fruit/Shot a hundred arrows at a knoll/a hundred sparrows blue - this one might be for you. If it wasn’t for one semi-tolerable item, “Champagne Year” this would be rated a lot worse. (C-)
Posted by scratch / THE NATTERING NABOB