Strange Mercy
by St. Vincent
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2011
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
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  1. Lodz
    Sep 14, 2011
    5
    Just another Tori Amos trying to reach Kate Bush level. No chance. Songs are boring, no surprises at all. At least lyrics is not bad. To sum up, nothing to be so excited about. Critics definitely went wrong.
  2. Esteban
    Mar 24, 2012
    6
    It's OK. It's not great though. There are some good songs. 'Cruel' is great and 'Champagne Years' (despite sounding strangely like the Vaccines 'Blow It Up') is fantastic as well. It doesn't have that complete album feel however.
  3. Ricko
    Mar 11, 2018
    6
    For many, "Strange Mercy" is peak St Vincent yet it is well down the list of her releases for me. Certainly, this is a highly interesting listen, multi textured sonically and lyrically provoking it takes many many listens to appreciate and gets better with each one. Personally I feel the album lacks a true soul. At the very least the raw material has a suffocated, slightly clinical feel toFor many, "Strange Mercy" is peak St Vincent yet it is well down the list of her releases for me. Certainly, this is a highly interesting listen, multi textured sonically and lyrically provoking it takes many many listens to appreciate and gets better with each one. Personally I feel the album lacks a true soul. At the very least the raw material has a suffocated, slightly clinical feel to it with the amount going on in each track. Her more recent albums have had intelligence and invention but some incredible pop songs as well but on "Strange Mercy" it is the production and studio work that takes centre stage rather than the songs themselves.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. No Ripcord
    Jan 3, 2012
    90
    St. Vincent's most sonically rich effort to date.
    Read full review
  2. 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]
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 6, 2011
    91
    It's cerebral and a little chilly, but also full of musical surprises. [23 Sep 2011, p.79]
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