A Heart Like A Socket

St. Vincent “Marry Me” – Annie Clarke’s character in “Marry Me” says exactly what she means in plain English, but that only makes the sentiment of the song turn sour when you realize that her capriciousness trumps the sincere, enthusiastic love she feels for this John fellow, and she is fully aware of this fact. She knows she’s leading him on to heartbreak, but he’s so generous, stable, and willing that she can’t resist the safety he offers, though she resents it or feels unworthy of it just the same. I don’t think this is a cruel song, though — the sweetness of the melody when she proposes to him may seem like a lure into a trap, but it’s so clear the character means well, and desperately wants to minimize his pain. She’s confused about commitment, but there’s never a moment of doubt that she loves him. I’m not normally inclined to feel a great deal of sympathy for this sort of behavior, but just like poor old John, I’m helpless to Clarke’s charms. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)

Decomposure “Hour 5” – Decomposure’s new album comes in elaborate hand-made packaging, with a booklet of thick, torn pages that alternate between abstracted patterns of short black lines and dense blocks of tiny words that loosely correspond to the vocals on the record. It’s ideally suited to the music — austere but worn down, aloof and willfully oblique yet eager to communicate. Even when the songs have strong, accessible melodies — this one in particular sounds a lot like Nine Inch Nails — there’s a sense that the singer is speaking in a code you’ll never crack, but he’s still trying to express something, though he may only be talking to himself. (Click here to buy it from Blank Squirrel.)