St. Vincent

Annie Clark, who writes and records under the name St. Vincent, has never been a fan of convention. Her 2007 debut, Marry Me, was filled with off-kilter rhythms, strangely melodic electronic arrangements, and cryptic narratives. St. Vincent's latest release, a candidate for one of 2009's best albums, is even more surprising and inventive. Hear selections from the album, Actor, as St. Vincent gives a full concert, recorded live from Washington, D.C.

All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and producer Robin Hilton visit a practice studio outside Austin, Texas, where Annie Clark and her band St. Vincent rehearsed for the South by Southwest music conference and festival. See video of St. Vincent performing two new songs from the group's upcoming album, Actor.

Annie Clark of St. Vincent stops by the BPP studios to play a few songs and talk about her music. Her debut album is Marry Me.

Songwriter Annie Clark, who records under the name St. Vincent, is known for combining prodigious guitar technique with cinematic, orchestral pop. But on her new album, Actor, she actually turned to films for inspiration.

Annie Clark, who writes and records under the name St. Vincent, has never been a fan of convention. Her 2007 debut, Marry Me, was filled with off-kilter rhythms, strangely melodic electronic arrangements, and cryptic narratives. St. Vincent's latest release, a candidate for one of 2009's best albums, is even more surprising and inventive. Hear selections from the album, Actor, as St. Vincent gives a full concert, recorded live from Washington, D.C.

When Annie Clark emerged in 2007 with her debut album under the name St. Vincent, it was clear she was an exceptionally talented artist. Marry Me won over fans and music critics with its off-kilter rhythms, unconventional mix of strings and electronics, and Clark's cryptic lyrics. But the band's new follow-up, Actor, is even more remarkable. Hear the album in its entirety, exclusively on NPR Music.

The Dead Weather is a super-group of sorts with members from several well-loved bands, including The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age and The Kills. The group's new CD isn't out until June, but we've got an early single on this edition of All Songs Considered. Also on the show: the raucous duo Japandroids, singer-songwriter Vienna Teng, St. Vincent, lo-fi pioneer Bill Callahan, and an acoustic version of "Creep" from a new deluxe edition of Radiohead's Pablo Honey.

All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and producer Robin Hilton visit a practice studio outside Austin, Texas, where Annie Clark and her band St. Vincent rehearsed for the South by Southwest music conference and festival. See video of St. Vincent performing two new songs from the group's upcoming album, Actor.

Since the 2009 South by Southwest music festival and conference ended a week ago, we've spent much of our time back decompressing and making sense of everything we saw and heard. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and Song of the Day editor Stephen Thompson discovered dozens of new bands, took in more concerts than most people see in a year, and came back with some new favorite artists. On this edition of All Songs Considered we wrap up our SXSW '09 coverage with a final look at some of the most memorable acts.

Steve Seel, afternoon music host on Minnesota Public Radio's The Current, offers his picks for the Top 10 albums of the year.

St. Vincent's Marry Me is a subtly infectious record; propelled by warm strings, horns and keyboards. The songs alternately rock out and break down into noisy deconstructions. Lyrically, she's both serious and tongue-in-cheek, but consistently captivating.

St. Vincent's Annie Clark started work on her new album, Actor, with a simple goal: to break out of the songwriting patterns she'd developed over years of writing on the guitar and piano. The result conjures '60s girl-group harmonies and the whimsical sounds of Disney animated films.

The Dead Weather is a super-group of sorts with members from several well-loved bands, including The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age and The Kills. The group's new CD isn't out until June, but we've got an early single on this edition of All Songs Considered. Also on the show: the raucous duo Japandroids, singer-songwriter Vienna Teng, St. Vincent, lo-fi pioneer Bill Callahan, and an acoustic version of "Creep" from a new deluxe edition of Radiohead's Pablo Honey.

Since the 2009 South by Southwest music festival and conference ended a week ago, we've spent much of our time back decompressing and making sense of everything we saw and heard. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and Song of the Day editor Stephen Thompson discovered dozens of new bands, took in more concerts than most people see in a year, and came back with some new favorite artists. On this edition of All Songs Considered we wrap up our SXSW '09 coverage with a final look at some of the most memorable acts.

St. Vincent's Marry Me is a subtly infectious record; propelled by warm strings, horns and keyboards. The songs alternately rock out and break down into noisy deconstructions. Lyrically, she's both serious and tongue-in-cheek, but consistently captivating.

From French electronica and melancholy songwriters to worldly, eccentric indie-rock, here are 10 of this year's best debut albums, as chosen by Bruce Warren, executive producer of WXPN's World Cafe.