St. Vincent - Marry Me (Beggars Banquet)
4/5
By: Ailsa Caine
'Marry Me' is the debut album from St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark, a one-woman musical whirlwind and composer. The album is testimony to its writer's evident love of many of the usual heroines which surface when talking about the female presence in modern music. As a result 'Marry Me' sweeps from Clark's early protests in 'Now Now' of what she's 'not' to the serious and melancholy mid track 'Paris is Burning'. By tackling all emotional frontiers, Clark establishes the album as a cleverly orchestrated musical standalone rather than a token woman's effort, or cute disassembly of a girly world.
As well as lyrical potency, 'Marry Me' is testimony to the genuine musical talent that Clark possesses, and she stretches this ability by enhancing the tracks with an ensemble of instruments which allow the album to flit from the beautiful simplicity of title track 'Marry Me' to the intricate 'Human Racing'. Clark's voice holds the same intrigue as singers from a bygone era and her use of piano, horn and guitar all add to her ability to evoke images of smoky, jazz filled rooms with one croon of a breathy voice.
It's perhaps the borrowed assurance of the musical heritage Clark is citing which gives 'Marry Me' its unwavering confidence. It's a confidence that encourages the listener to invest in Clark throughout an album which, though at times flawed, is testimony to the merits of having the belief to create a self contained musical world. Clark is a storyteller, and as she takes us through her resurrection 1920's Paris and philosophising on what her future may hold she assures us that she is 'someone who won't be forgotten' and on the merits of her debut effort, it's not hard to believe her.
Stream four tracks from 'Marry Me' HERE.
Artists in this article: St. Vincent
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