“So. Annie…”
“Yes David”
” Annie, I’m turning 60 soon and I’m searching for something, something more. Musically.”
“huh. Ok.”
“Annie. Let me lay it out for you. I’m awesome. And, you my dear, are the quirkiest firecracker. Shall we…”
“Oh, David. I know where you are going with this. I think we shall.”
—
St. Vincent and David Byrne have joined forces to craft the most effervescent album this year may see; Love This Giant.
St. Vincent has an intoxicationg voice. Her versatile and effortless demure musical abilities transfer to a myriad of music so purely. David Byrne, having been around the block, offers up a refined knowledge of eccentric pop rhythms. Together they produce a balance of perplexing eccentricity. Which seems to work. From the first listen it is apparent that the album is not an ordinary piece of work.
In an off-kilter kind of way David Byrne and St. Vincent compliment each other. Byrne is brought to the foreground by St. Vincent’s toned down performance. It is a strange fit where the vocals do not only cease to coincide expectedly, but play as if two separate tracks were pieced together. It’s a flirtatious jaunt.
The obvious choice for the duo’s first single “Who” is full of vigor. The song begins with a tricksy horn combo to lead into Byrne quivering vocals “who will be my valentine?” , comparable to that of a pop infused Tom Waits. When St. Vincent chimes in with beautiful, smooth vocals (resembling a soulful Dirty Projectors impostor), the mood changes.
The heavy bass presence in the album lends itself to an array of styles. It plays funky, sombre, even in a seemingly New Orleans inspired fashion. If modern pop and modern jazz are not your cup of tea then the cavorting trombones and the air of whimsy Love This Giant offers will likely not be suited for you. Love This Giant is giddy, outlandish, and above all well thought out, and well executed.
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