[Editor's Note: Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be presenting my
favorite local songs of the year, counting down from No. 25 to No. 1,
one track a day. Today we take an in-depth look at song No. 3 on the
list--and, please, feel free to click after the jump for a free download of the track.
Lastly, please keep checking back to see how the list pans out. Also
after the jump, check out songs No. 40-26 in the Top 40 list that will
update as it grows...]
No. 3: St. Vincent -- "Marrow"
Dallas native Annie Clark's second full-length release under her stage name of St. Vincent is, in many ways, a lesson in dualities--most prominently in the fact that her twisted lyrics are covered up by the soothing coo with which she sings them.
Yet there's another duality at play here as well--namely, the fact that few would peg Clark, what with her cherubic good looks and all, as the stereotypical guitar heroine. But on Actor's second single, "Marrow," Clark puts her guitar chops on blast, more than staking her claim as a guitar goddess.
Plus, y'know, it's a phenomenal song to boot.
Bonus mp3:
St. Vincent -- "Marrow"
St. Vincent -- "Marrow"
Live, "Marrow" is a sight to behold, with Clark pounding her guitar with her fist and thrashing about as she strikes out at her strings. But even on record, her playing remains a sharp, angular marvel.
A chunk of the credit here should be tossed the way of producer John Congleton of The Paper Chase, himself no stranger to angular melodies--but let's not discount Clark here either. Utilizing her gorgeous vocals, she capably lures in this song's listeners in, only to be all that much more caught off-guard as guitar freakouts begin. It's a phenomenal device--and one that continues paying off as the song continues along.
It's an interesting stylistic choice, too: Less nightmarish twee than most St. Vincent tracks, "Marrow," with the help of its backing horns, boasts an almost funk-ish feel under its rather rocky exterior. Consider is proof that a little boundary pushing is never a bad thing.
And in St. Vincent's case, of course, that's a great thing.
The Top 40 Local Songs of 2009 (Links to music videos and free song downloads available where applicable; links to streams where neither a download nor video exists.)
40.
The Wax Museums
The Wax Museums
39. Macon Greyson -- "Pushing Strings"
38. The Burning Hotels -- "Austin's Birthday" (video)
37. The Riverboat Gamblers -- "DissDissDissKissKissKiss" (video)
36. Salim Nourallah -- "Endless Dream Days"
35. The Phuss -- "Preacher, Preacher"
34. The Southern Sea -- "These Things Always End Badly"
33. Fungi Girls -- "Pacifica Nostalgia"
32. Giggle Party -- "Jason Bought a Hatchet" (video)
31. Carter Albrecht -- "Country Living" (stream)
30. This Old House -- "At Risk"
29. Occult Detective Club -- "You'll Follow Me"
28. Bad Sports -- "Nothing But Agitation"
27. Darktown Strutters -- "Quakertown"
26. The Crash That Took Me -- "Patricia Lynn" (stream)
25. Red Monroe -- "Pat Mayse Lake"
24. Danny Balis -- "Tethered"
23. Sleep Whale -- "Cotton Curls"
22. PVC Street Gang -- "Cutlass" (video)
21. Air Review -- "Jura"
20. Xrabit & Damaged Good$ -- "Follow the Leader" (video)
19. Doug Burr -- "The Righteous Will Rejoice"
18. Seryn -- "We Will All Be Changed"
17. galleryCat -- "Say Say Say"
16. Sunnybrook -- "Waving Hands"
15. The O's -- "You've Got Your Heart"
14. Ishi -- "Pastel Lights"
13. Binary Sunrise -- "Five Minutes"
12. The Paper Chase -- "What Should We Do With Your Body? (The Lightning)"
11. Fergus & Geronimo -- "Tell It In My Ear"
10. Max Moon -- "Urban Outfitters"
9. Neon Indian -- "Deadbeat Summer"
8. Bosque Brown -- "This Town"
7. Dorrough -- "Ice Cream Paint Job"
6. RTB2 -- "When Hammer Hits Stone"
5. VEGA -- "No Reasons"
4. Sore Losers -- "Bizarre Celebrations (Fizzy Dino Pop Remix)"
3. St. Vincent -- "Marrow" (video)
2. ????????
1. ????????
...and be sure to keep checking back, as this list will update daily
