#365songs (86 / 365)

St. Vincent has always been an artist I respect more than enjoy, with the exception of "Huey Newton," which I enjoy but don't respect. I'm kidding. I enjoy it but I don't understand it at all, and the lyrics do not move me. But you know what does move me? The production on those drums in the first half. Bone-dry and crunchy but with what I guess is just a touch of very close echo on the snare? They are just so funky sounding.

Also, I do love a multi-part song, in case that's not abundantly clear by now, and the ridiculously chonky fuzz guitar riff in part two here has some kind of sonic mojo similar to whatever exactly makes those drums in part one so delicious to me. Annie Clark might be singing nonsense, but she sings it compellingly: part one is dry and sardonic (like those DRUMS) and part two brings a little bit of rock star swagger. Basically "Huey Newton" leaves me totally cold emotionally but it all sounds so cool and good that I don't care at all.

Also, though I don't understand the lyrics one bit, "fake knife, real ketchup" is a good line.