Admittedly, The D Man really did not know where to fit these next three records into his list. So this just seemed like the best place. The Antlers, St. Vincent, and Ryan Adams have very little to do with each other, but their excellent records merited recognition and discussion.
- Burst Apart by The Antlers. A gorgeous and spare slice of indie-rock, Peter Silberman wants to break your heart with his falsetto. Where Hospice created emotional wreckage with shards of spinning hope, the Brooklyn band's second album picks up the pieces in a most mesmerizing and keyboard-infused fashion.
- Strange Mercy by St. Vincent. Annie Clark is striking. So is her music. Once an Illinoisemaker for Sufjan Stevens, Clark is now the main event. A compelling dissonance arises from her imaginative arrangements, guitar arpeggios, and vocal gymastics. Indie chicks unite!
- Ashes & Fire by Ryan Adams. The D Man's long musical affair with Ryan Adams has been well chronicled. His latest record is a return to the basic acoustic premise of Heartbreaker and the numerous tracks that so many have fallen in love with. Musically, there is nothing earth-shattering in this collection of songs, except for the subtle genius of a gifted songwriter that is slowly revealed after repeated, worthwhile listens.
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