Annie Clark’s follow-up to her 2007 debut full-length, the memorable “Marry Me,” is called “Actor,” and it’s one of the best records of 2009. Under the moniker St. Vincent, Clark—who was at one time a member of the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ touring band—has crafted these two emotive and technical accomplishments with stirring grace and ingenuity. On “Actor,” she lays down her soothing, deeply warm vocals over an eclectic collection of instruments, from strings to keys, horns to electronics. On opener “The Strangers” she perfects a harmonization with her voice that’ll leave you drooling at the mouth; by the time first single “Actor Out of Work” surfaces with its clever hooks and pop-song charm, you’ll be swooning. “Marrow,” with its consistent, driving bassline, is at heart a dance song, and the distorted grooves offer an unexpected heaviness. (Reportedly, Clark relied heavily on Apple’s Garage Band application for much of the record’s writing, which is impressive when you consider the program’s limitations.) Invention such as this, which packs a subtle power within the rather elaborate orchestrations, is a rarity. (Tom Lynch)
June 7 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 7:30pm. $13-$15.
Last Punks Standing: A Preview of Mekons at Hideout Mekons have endured by refusing to adhere to anyone's ideas regarding what is and isn't punk rock (which is in and of itself a defiantly punk attitude).
Still Breathtaking: A Preview of Sting at Ravinia Festival Sting's solo catalog boasts more than a dozen studio albums. He may not rack up the hit singles like he once did, but he remains a compelling writer, musician and performer.
