Optimist is wonderful.
― I can still taste the Taboo in my mouth when I hear those songs (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 9 December 2013 15:58 (ten years ago) link
well i'll say one thing, that is a lot of fucking chicken wire she's got there
― rp boo bryson (NickB), Monday, 9 December 2013 16:08 (ten years ago) link
And a fucking massive potty.
― I can still taste the Taboo in my mouth when I hear those songs (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 9 December 2013 16:16 (ten years ago) link
New song is fantastic. Love her three albums so much and cannot wait for this one.
― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 10 December 2013 01:40 (ten years ago) link
Another new song. This album is going to be strange.
http://youtu.be/-7LsBjrqqHA
― Kitchen Person, Monday, 6 January 2014 18:01 (ten years ago) link
Birth in Reverse was...eh. Digital Witness is full on great, tho.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 6 January 2014 22:54 (ten years ago) link
So there doesn't seem to be a lot of hype for this album around here.
Another new song.
http://www.nme.com/news/st-vincent/75313
Lovely stuff.
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 5 February 2014 19:57 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, really like that.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 5 February 2014 20:09 (ten years ago) link
Really excited for this album.
― Murgatroid, Wednesday, 5 February 2014 20:18 (ten years ago) link
This is one of the better songs I've heard of hers. Still kind of spoiled by gimmicky production featuring grating, unnecessary distortion (this seems to be her thing and it's pretty much a deal breaker for me since I find most of her songwriting not bad but not exceptional, either). It's a sound that probably won't age well. Not exactly a groundbreaking set of chord changes, but a nice tune. Just too bad about the production. She lost some points after the John Barry You Only Live Twice ripoff song a few years back, too. Why would someone do that? I guess it's a step up from yelling over a slowed down Curtis Mayfield record.
― bbboing, Wednesday, 5 February 2014 21:59 (ten years ago) link
This is out there now. I like it a lot for the most part, takes a dip in the last few tracks (second last track in particular is really bad).
― Murgatroid, Saturday, 15 February 2014 18:38 (ten years ago) link
I'm actually a little bit in shock at how incredible this album is. I do love her three albums so far but this one just seems like it's in a different league and is very close to being a perfect record. Prince Johnny, Regret and Psychopath are my early favourites but every song has something really great about it.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 15 February 2014 19:56 (ten years ago) link
i just listened to the previews on itunes and it seems more accessible and immediate than anything i remember from her.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Saturday, 15 February 2014 20:00 (ten years ago) link
It's definitely a lot easier to take in than Strange Mercy. It's just a really beautiful record.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 15 February 2014 20:02 (ten years ago) link
But yeah, big fan of the major-label-accessible version of St. Vincent in general.
― Murgatroid, Saturday, 15 February 2014 20:03 (ten years ago) link
don't get me wrong. i like every album she's released (and -- on an unrelated point -- i am transfixed by her beauty).
― Daniel, Esq 2, Saturday, 15 February 2014 20:04 (ten years ago) link
Same here Daniel.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 15 February 2014 20:12 (ten years ago) link
Not a fan of "Every Tear Disappears" or "Bring Me Your Loves," but the other 9 probably make up my fave record of hers so far. She could stand to vary the sonics a bit more on the next one, though.
― Simon H., Sunday, 16 February 2014 16:58 (ten years ago) link
Every Tear Disappears is the weakest song but I still like it. At the moment I Prefer Your Love has become my favourite and could be the best song she's done.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 16 February 2014 18:15 (ten years ago) link
Rattlesnake reminds me of Post-era Bjork, for some reason. So far I'm enjoying this record more than I thought I would (and I loved both Actor and Strange Mercy).
― Van Horn Street, Sunday, 16 February 2014 19:13 (ten years ago) link
I can't wait to hear this! I really enjoyed watching her play songs at the new york fashion show. She's got some cool choreography going on too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgZWGJZHkGM
― Isaiah "Ice" McAdams (cajunsunday), Sunday, 16 February 2014 21:42 (ten years ago) link
i love watching her play guitar.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Sunday, 16 February 2014 22:13 (ten years ago) link
is this song in mime
― j., Sunday, 16 February 2014 22:30 (ten years ago) link
OK... wow. Because musically that song is interesting and dynamic and both not what I would have expected from St Vincent, but also weirdly *completely* totally sounding distinctively her...
But her STAGE PRESENCE, holy shit! She really has been hanging out with David Byrne too much, and he has been rubbing off on her in the best possible way. She's mesmerising and amazing, and yeah, she always has been fantastic to watch, but I love the theatricality and the "mime" and her expression while she plays/dances is absolutely the best.
Alright, I was going back and forth as to whether I should get this album due to mixed reactions, but, um, YES. Need more of this.
― "righteous indignation shit" (Branwell Bell), Monday, 17 February 2014 10:10 (ten years ago) link
Choreography is an art I wish I understood more.
― "righteous indignation shit" (Branwell Bell), Monday, 17 February 2014 10:11 (ten years ago) link
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/swans-finish-next-two-hour-epic-to-be-kind-with-st-vincent-20140214
― Ward Fowler, Monday, 17 February 2014 10:36 (ten years ago) link
Can't wait for this record (except I can, otherwise I'd download it and I don't want to hear it til I've bought it), and she's playing in Bristol ON MY BIRTHDAY.
― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 17 February 2014 11:58 (ten years ago) link
OMG OMG when is your birthday again?
(I have to go to Bristol soon, maybe it's the same weekend? I hope so, because ironically it is the weekend that Interpol are playing in my hood and I'm glad of an excuse not to go.)
― "righteous indignation shit" (Branwell Bell), Monday, 17 February 2014 12:20 (ten years ago) link
May 15th.
― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 17 February 2014 12:33 (ten years ago) link
Ha, that video is great!!
― flamboyant goon tie included, Monday, 17 February 2014 13:05 (ten years ago) link
the woah-oh-oh-oh-ohs of "prince johnny" have been swirling around in my head all morning
― pearly-dewdrops' bops (monotony), Monday, 17 February 2014 23:44 (ten years ago) link
Streaming in full at The Guardian now:http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/feb/18/st-vincent-st-vincent-album-stream
― voodoo chili, Tuesday, 18 February 2014 19:01 (ten years ago) link
ty voodoo chili. this is great.
― 4. Nels Cline and My Uncle Eat Soup at Panera Bread (3:37) (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 18 February 2014 20:20 (ten years ago) link
prince johnny is epic. best, most immediate song she's done; the backing choir and the build to the chorus is fantastic.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 12:59 (ten years ago) link
Streams are so damn unreliable on this connection, but wwooooo, excited to hear this!
(Oh, this is the song from the jerky-dance video and it's even AWESOMER and jerkier on record.)
― ~Autotelic Fabulousity~ (Branwell Bell), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 13:22 (ten years ago) link
streaming @ NPR, too. and this is getting "mixed reactions" you say?!? from whome? it's fucking fantastic is what it is, 2014's first off-the-line aoy contender afaic. varied, risky, catchy, clever and addictive as hell. immediately wanted to go back and replay like every single song (but restrained myself in favor of the "album experience").
and yeah, i'm suprised by the relatively low level of anticipatory slavering itt. thought she was a designated local hero. did that half-boring byrne collaboration glaze everyone's eyes? this is at least a thousand times better. kate bush people need to be on this.
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 13:24 (ten years ago) link
you did not just... RMDE RMDE and KMT and SMH no.
― ~Autotelic Fabulousity~ (Branwell Bell), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 13:26 (ten years ago) link
I'm so into the synth-bass farts on this record. She's always had an amazing sonic ear, but this record is just so... "oooooh, what *IS* that odd noise, I ~lyke~ it?"
― ~Autotelic Fabulousity~ (Branwell Bell), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 13:34 (ten years ago) link
2014's first off-the-line aoy contender afaic. varied, risky, catchy, clever and addictive as hell. ― contenderizer, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
― contenderizer, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
it's v good, but 2014's only album-of-the-year contender so far? hm, no.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 14:32 (ten years ago) link
I liked the Byrne collab but was a bit disappointed by her last album Strange Mercy which had a couple of good moments but mostly just felt a bit awkward. Really love Actor from 2009 though. What I've heard from this so far sounds great though. Really think she's a fantastic "rock star" in an old fashioned kind of sense.
― doglato dozzy (dog latin), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 14:43 (ten years ago) link
She's always had an amazing sonic ear, but this record is just so... "oooooh, what *IS* that odd noise, I ~lyke~ it?"
yeah, also like the fact that there isn't a clear palette of such sounds that she's working from. each song seems composed of the pieces necessary for it, regardless of how little they might have in common with the tones & timbres employed elsewhere. not that she doesn't have a cache of go-to favorites, especially where the guitars are concerned...
speaking of byrne as an influence, couldn't help but hear digital witness' "people turn the tv on it looks just like a window" as a lost and unrecorded talking heads line, right down to the faux-naive delivery.
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 14:49 (ten years ago) link
It's February, can we stop all this "album of the year contender!" nonsense? In fact can we stop it every month. Inane and idiotic.
― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 14:52 (ten years ago) link
"people turn the tv on it looks just like a window"
There's a Byrne song on the Byrne/Vincent album all about TV which I thought was a bit trite and anachronistic at the time.
― doglato dozzy (dog latin), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 14:54 (ten years ago) link
tinariwen's emmaarsun kil moon's benjikaty b's little redchildbirth's it's a girl!
need to hear that tinariwen, but i've never been a kozelik or katy b fan, so i wouldn't expect my possibles list to overlap all that much w yours. other favorites so far:
warpaint - warpaintagainst me! - transgender dysphoria bluescynic - kindly bent to free usbehemoth - the satanist
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:06 (ten years ago) link
― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, February 19, 2014 6:52 AM (14 minutes ago)
your face is inane and idiotic
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:08 (ten years ago) link
― doglato dozzy (dog latin)
It's much less awkward than Strange Mercy. Most of it is really instant and catchy.
I Prefer Your Love has just taken over for me. One of the most heartbreaking songs I've ever heard.
As for album of the year contenders. This is ahead of Wild Beasts and Katy B for me, by quite a long way. Yeah I know it's early to say that but it will be take a lot for something to beat it. It's a perfect record. Up there with When Saints Go Machine and iamamiwhoami as the best albums I've heard this decade, yeah I went there.
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:11 (ten years ago) link
xx Relax Sick, it's just another way of saying he really likes it. Is it OK if I just say it's the best album I've heard so far this year?
― What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:15 (ten years ago) link
It's February, can we stop all this "album of the year contender!" nonsense? In fact can we stop it every month. Inane and idiotic.― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, February 19, 2014 6:52 AM (14 minutes ago)your face is inane and idiotic― contenderizer, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 4:08 PM (5 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― contenderizer, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 4:08 PM (5 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Generally, yeah.
I just hate this language of discourse; every idiot with a twitter account pronouncing "the new Nut Sniffers record is my album of the year already!" every five minutes through January and February as if they give away a personal prize. It's reductive and silly! Just say you like something a lot and why, don't set up some kind of arbitrary pseudo-spreadsheet! Hate it hate it hate it.
x-post: that's preferable, DL, certainly, but I just hate the absolutist terminology we all fall into. I feel like it gets worse ever year.
― the drummer is a monster (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:17 (ten years ago) link
I'm generally down on telling people how they're allowed to express their enthusiasm.
― What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:19 (ten years ago) link
Like I can even decide what the ~best album this year~ is going to be until I've seen what Interpol's haircuts are doing on the record they're currently finishing!
Stupid stream cut out after 3 tracks and I can't get back on. It's probably my connection, not the Grauniad but still irritating. ;_;
I really liked the awkwardness of Strange Mercy; I think she does "awkward" really beautifully. But then, I thought Love This Giant was one of the albums of 2012. The whole brass thing really did it for me.
― ~Autotelic Fabulousity~ (Branwell Bell), Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:19 (ten years ago) link
Love an Annie to death but what a weird fucking statement
― turn dog for up (fgti), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 13:57 (nine years ago) link
seems in character: earnest yet clinical, detail-oriented, a little strange
― contenderizer, Tuesday, 10 February 2015 14:12 (nine years ago) link
that last one wasn't so bad in a 'started from the bottom(ish), look at me now' kind of way. but i remember the (by far) lowest point of SV's Cambridge showin the UK, with this whole routine where Annie 'supposed' things about the collected histories of the audience: 'When you were young, you used to trap insects and pull their wings off just to see what would happen' (or something like that), and I don't know if it was a cultural misunderstanding but it all fell so flat, with just a few nonplussed giggles coming from an otherwise silent audience.
― oi listen mate, shut up (dog latin), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 14:27 (nine years ago) link
idgi -- what's weird about that statement? she's just talking about her experiences?
― groundless round (La Lechera), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 14:30 (nine years ago) link
I feel as if she's positioning her former "small-business model" in a negative light in opposition to her current blessed big box indie model. The surprise ending! "I loved it all." Like, if only all my favourite bands could be making $500 a night and staying in motels.
― turn dog for up (fgti), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 14:43 (nine years ago) link
ah okthat makes sensebedbugs aren't a one-night only affair either, they'll stowaway in a corner of your bag and follow you forever
― groundless round (La Lechera), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 14:50 (nine years ago) link
I mean
I barely want to have this conversation, I feel unmixed pleasure about her Grammy win. But I have been having larger issues with big biz indie, both as audience and participant, ethically and aesthetically. And as it is difficult for me to discern what is or is not coloured by professional jealousy, I generally save this shit for my lucky therapist.
My personal rule is that if somebody else is setting up your gear for you, you should probably think about breaking up the band. And if there's an in-ear monitor? cancel the tour immediately. Nobody wants to see or hear that.
― turn dog for up (fgti), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 15:03 (nine years ago) link
the homeless man thing was a little weird but meh
― nose, Tuesday, 10 February 2015 16:35 (nine years ago) link
we also need a veggie sub rate in order to understand just how many veggie subs she ate! what if the appropriate veggie sub rate that she's referencing is 60 veggie subs per second?! that would be an award worthy number of veggie subs! give her the golden sub!
― It's strange to me too. But we're talking about praxis, man. (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 10 February 2015 17:33 (nine years ago) link
you folks are harsh
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 01:35 (nine years ago) link
sigh
― RAP GAME SHANI DAVIS (Raymond Cummings), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 02:32 (nine years ago) link
high standards for the people we love is all
― turn dog for up (fgti), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 02:37 (nine years ago) link
Thanks for reminding me of all the reasons I generally tend to avoid ILM these days, guys. I really needed that.
― Branwell with an N, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 07:42 (nine years ago) link
You're welcome!
― Οὖτις Δαυ & τηε Κνιγητσ (Phil D.), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 13:48 (nine years ago) link
I am fine with her not following fgti's personal rules.
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 14:42 (nine years ago) link
my personal rule is that if you normally save shit for your therapist you should continue
― katherine, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 15:00 (nine years ago) link
These fucking dumb personal rules are for myself, not for anyone else. I suppose it'd be easier to have same conversation about a more-roundly-despised big box indie act.
@ katherine I've been taught to "save it for therapy" most of my life, but I've found it ultimately more beneficial to maintain a social circle that is comfortable with sharing their anxieties
― turn dog for up (fgti), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 15:08 (nine years ago) link
I am not talking about St. Vincent specifically, I am talking about the ugliness of when indie-gets-big-business shows, I have literally had this exact conversation with all possible indictable acts, with responses from "I know how you feel, 200-to-400 people is a perfect-sized crowd and I've been eager to dial it back" to "I don't care what the audience wants, full steam ahead".
Generally I've been "I'm OK, you're OK" about small-business, big-business, it's all good, sell tickets play shows. But reading things like Ian Cohen describing small business models as being rooted in "indie defeatism", to this statement which seems to posit that the current-and-future reality for many indie acts ($250-a-show, Motel 6) is something to be overcome, left behind... it is extremely frustrating to read. Like I wrote e-mails to [band] and [band] when they hired lighting techs and/or monitor engineers to say "don't do it" and they did anyway and lost money on those tours.
― turn dog for up (fgti), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 15:24 (nine years ago) link
i am glad that she is getting paid for what she does and hope that she enjoys every sandwich
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 15:46 (nine years ago) link
pomplamoose have not made it yet
― It's strange to me too. But we're talking about praxis, man. (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 11 February 2015 16:09 (nine years ago) link
katherine: sick burn on charles mingus there
― rushomancy, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 22:38 (nine years ago) link
St. Vincent @st_vincent 1h1 hour ago
S&M&M'S.0 replies 322 retweets 696 favorites
― dow, Sunday, 1 March 2015 02:02 (nine years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_S_bWCXEAA6e7P.jpg
Stereogum @stereogum 11m11 minutes ago
Hear @St_Vincent interview Gang Of Four's Andy Gill http://bit.ly/1FbGwvo
― dow, Thursday, 5 March 2015 01:39 (nine years ago) link
i should know better than to believe internet celeb couple rumours (remember when that frank ocean x miguel rumour got some traction?) but i'm so into the idea of annie & delevingne being gfs
― bae sremmurd (monotony), Friday, 6 March 2015 01:21 (nine years ago) link
another new track:
http://pitchfork.com/news/58251-st-vincent-shares-teenage-talk-written-for-hbos-girls/
― dow, Monday, 9 March 2015 13:43 (nine years ago) link
Is it more rigid robot funk?
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 9 March 2015 14:41 (nine years ago) link
St. Vincent's Mixtape Delivery Service
A big thanks to everyone who tuned into the first episodes of St. Vincent's Mixtape Delivery Service on Beats1. And thank you to everyone who wrote in with your stories. I sat with a margarita (or two) and my trusty PC (joke, Apple!) and read each of them. I was so moved and wished I could make one for every single person. Alas, time is unmerciful.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that a second round of submissions will be accepted this coming Tuesday, July 14 at 12pm EST/9am PST for one hour. Click HERE to submit.http://ilovestvincent.com/mixtape/
Xxac(To access previous mixtape playlists and exclusive show content click HEREhttp://www.apple.com/itunes/download/)
― dow, Tuesday, 14 July 2015 22:49 (eight years ago) link
Hey St Vincent fans - any recommendations for a newbie to her stuff? I've enjoyed scattered tracks like "Surgeon", "Cheerleader" and "Prince Johnny".
― Carlotta's Portrait (Ross), Friday, 10 March 2017 18:40 (seven years ago) link
she's got a new one coming out this year, i think. maybe wait and see how it is?
― increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Friday, 10 March 2017 18:44 (seven years ago) link
honestly the s/t was the first of hers i've liked and i LOOOOOOOOVE it, so maybe that?
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 10 March 2017 18:53 (seven years ago) link
i thought the s/t was more uneven than "strange mercy" but that the highs were higher.
― increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Friday, 10 March 2017 18:55 (seven years ago) link
Actor was my gateway. But they're all good.
― Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Saturday, 11 March 2017 05:39 (seven years ago) link
her last few records are quite different and yet...somehow extremely the same. I'd like to hear her loosen up her arrangements a bit for diversity's sake.
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Saturday, 11 March 2017 07:10 (seven years ago) link
there's a sterility to her records that makes them not stand up to a whole lot of relistening for me even as I admire the craft
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Saturday, 11 March 2017 07:14 (seven years ago) link
otm. I thought s/t was great all the way through, but its consistency makes me more likely to play individual tracks than the whole album
― Vinnie, Saturday, 11 March 2017 08:59 (seven years ago) link
I think all of them after the first one are amazing. The first one is really good but just short of amazing.
― akm, Saturday, 11 March 2017 17:38 (seven years ago) link
Actor is my favourite but I do love all four of her albums in different ways. I think the self titled might be the best introduction to her.
― kitchen person, Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:41 (seven years ago) link
I didn't get into her until "Prince Johnny" convinced me to give the s/t a shot. I liked it quite a bit and still need to go back and listen to the earlier records.
Also, "Teenage Talk," her one-off single from 2015, is really great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7IYosdzUX8
― some sad trombone Twilight Zone shit (cryptosicko), Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:44 (seven years ago) link
Actor and the S/T album are both great. Not so much a fan of Strange Mercy (other than 'Cruel' which is a great song).
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Monday, 13 March 2017 11:52 (seven years ago) link
Actor > Strange Mercy > Love This Giant > s/t
never listened much to Marry Me
but it's all great, highy recommend seeing her live if you get the chance
my fav song is the party:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9L3D1w8KcY
― niels, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 08:24 (seven years ago) link
also this is a good watch if fx you feel like a lump
― niels, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 08:25 (seven years ago) link
"Teenage Talk" is the best thing she's ever done, hope album 5 sounds similar (also hope album 5 comes out this year). s/t is her most cohesive album, imo (in the minority that like it better than Strange Mercy).
― Handsome Bookor, Thursday, 16 March 2017 17:21 (seven years ago) link
Niels - That's a great track
― Carlotta's Portrait (Ross), Thursday, 16 March 2017 17:56 (seven years ago) link