Marry Me
by St. Vincent

Album details

US: 10 July 2007 on Beggars Banquet
UK: 3 September 2007 on Beggars Banquet

Unique 23-year-old multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Annie Clark is the sole member of St. Vincent, and the eclectic ‘Marry Me’ marks her first full-length. In the past, she has performed with Glenn Branca, Sufjan Stevens, and the Polyphonic Spree.

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The critical consensus

Dotmusic deems Clark’s first release a "dense, dizzying, dazzling album," while Cokemachineglow finds it an "excellent debut" with the prospects of even greater albums in the future. All Music Guide confirms Marry Me as "one of the better indie pop albums that’s come around for a long time." The Onion AV Club enjoys that the disc "seduces with one hand and stabs with the other," and Magnet calls it "elegantly crafted and darkly mischievous," while No Ripcord likes the "gorgeous and solid" songs. Slant notes similarities to Fiona Apple and Bjork (as do others), and Harp is impressed that "despite all the musical shifts, the album hangs together remarkably well." Pitchfork also finds that her quirkiness is not a dealbreaker, thanks to Clark’s talent, noting that "Marry Me takes the more challenging route of twisting already twisted structures and unusual instrumentation to make them sound perfectly natural and, most importantly, easy to listen to."

It’s not completely without fault, however. Junkmedia states, "Whilst Marry Me is largely an intriguing listen, it’s largely the music, rather than attentive lyrics, that is the focal point, always a combination which struggles to engage the listener." Exclaim! notes that her "flair for the dramatic… becomes a little tiring over a whole album," but the publication still salutes an artist "brimming with ideas." The New York Times’ Kelefa Sanneh notes that while it sounds like Clark is still trying to figure some things out, it is "a thrill to hear her trying things most young singers wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) dare." Similarly, Stylus notes that "what Marry Me may lack in innovation, it makes up for in attitude and execution." However, the Boston Globe feels that she lacks focus, Prefix finds that her voice gets lost in the big sound, and Dusted prefers live St. Vincent to studio St. Vincent, saying that on record, "Clark is playing against her strengths."

[Marry Me] marks the arrival of an enchanting songwriter who successfully brings an element of true eccentricity to conventional pop music.

- Artist Direct

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Now, Now
   
2. Jesus Saves, I Spend
3. Your Lips Are Red
   (live performance:)
   
   
4. Marry Me
5. Paris Is Burning
   (live performance:)
   
   
6. All My Stars Aligned
7. The Apocalypse Song
8. We Put A Pearl Into The Ground
9. Land Mines
10. Human Racing
11. What Me Worry?

Also on the web

• Official Artist Site
• St. Vincent @ MySpace
• Annie Clark interview (Entertainment Weekly)