Strange Mercy
by St. Vincent
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2011
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
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  1. BBC Music
    Sep 1, 2011
    60
    Ultimately Strange Mercy sounds like her best record still lies ahead, once she feels a little more at ease with balancing her obviously multiple talents.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 9, 2011
    60
    For her third album as St. Vincent, Annie Clark has jettisoned the baroque string and woodwind arrangements that marked 2009's Actor, in favour of more direct, guitar-based settings.
  3. The Wire
    Dec 6, 2011
    60
    Musically, in other words, Strange Mercy delivers plenty of interest. What's not so convincing is the songwriting, specifically the lyrics. [Oct 2011, p.60]
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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Album of 2011
46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2011
88
#88 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 210 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 197 out of 210
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 210
  3. Negative: 7 out of 210
  1. sn0wsh00
    Sep 21, 2011
    10
    This album has the precision of a surgeon and the cruelness of a puppy. All the experimentation and blips and dissonance, it works out so damnThis album has the precision of a surgeon and the cruelness of a puppy. All the experimentation and blips and dissonance, it works out so damn well! Strange Mercy simply one of the best, if not, the best pop albums of 2011. I am in love with this.… Full Review »
  2. lightwarrior179
    Sep 14, 2011
    10
    Annie Clark's musical evolution takes its next big step delivering one of the year's best albums yet -- a thrilling,intense yet deeplyAnnie Clark's musical evolution takes its next big step delivering one of the year's best albums yet -- a thrilling,intense yet deeply personal collection of songs that develop on musical and lyrical concepts she has dabbled with on her previous works.
    The musical sophistication on the album is apparent right from "Chloe in the Afternoon" with rough guitars co-operating in tune with her choir-like vocals. "Cheerleader" possibly her most personal song lyrically sees her sick and tired of being at the sidelines and states her independence with a defiant " I...I...I" beat in the song.
    "Surgeon" might be her most sophisticated work having an oft-kilter guitar hook in the middle that is catchy. As she evolves as a songwriter,singer and composer she also develops in unique way as a guitarist. She has a very unique way of treating the instrument often caressing it on songs to produce deep,soulful melodies but can strangle her guitar to produce jarring rough solos that are as memorable as the music in this album.

    A top contender for the album of the year! "Strange Mercy" sees the one of the better solo artists in the indie scene realize the immense scope of her true potential. This might just be the beginning but what a beginning it really is.    … Full Review »
  3. LuizCC
    Jan 8, 2012
    10
    In her own words, Annie Clark said this album was wirtten in a solitude moment of her life, and it sounds very personal. It's like she put allIn her own words, Annie Clark said this album was wirtten in a solitude moment of her life, and it sounds very personal. It's like she put all of her thoughts about life itself in this album, and they seem to be brilliant. She left behind the experimental/baroque sound of "Actor", and gave us a different kind of pop, mixed with folk. It is one of the marvelous CDs from last year.… Full Review »
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