Marry Me - St. Vincent (2007)

I didn’t know St. Vincent when she released this first solo album, but I’m not sure I would have liked it at the time. Listening to it now, though, there’s a lot to like.

There’s a very theatrical bent to this, partly because it sounds like show tunes in places, but also just because it seems like it’s a soundtrack or a cast recording to something that doesn’t exist. It reminds me in places of Kate Bush, who will surely end up in this space eventually. One thing Kate Bush never did a lot of, though, was to ride a big old indie rock riff (see Jesus Saves, I Spend) or rip off a distortion-heavy guitar solo over string accompaniment (Now, Now).

It’s very poppy, but also very forward thinking, much like she’d continue to do after this.

Discog-ology

Next: Actor

Tracks I liked

Jesus Saves, I Spend - an interesting lyric with some great vocal flourishes

Paris Is Burning - One of those “theatrical” songs I mentioned

The Apocalypse Song - equally chamber pop and indie rock