David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant

Looking for new, interesting music? So is everyone else. Here's a collaboration that you probably didn't see coming – St. Vincent, the folk/rock singer-songwriter with the voice of angel, has teamed up with David Byrne, the quirky former lead singer of the Talking Heads, to release Love This Giant. And this album is indeed a giant you can love, as long as you're not afraid to step out of your musical comfort zone.

First, a quick background of the artists. Even if you don't listen to Talking Heads on a regular basis, you've probably heard "Psycho Killer" and "And She Was". They could best be described as an alternative, post-punk, dance-rock group; the group focuses heavily on funky electronic sounds and Byrne's distinctive and occasionally whacky vocals. St. Vincent, meanwhile, is quieter than the Talking Heads but could also be described as bold. Her floating vocal lines sometimes conceal surprisingly sharp lyrics. She plays a variety of instruments, including the organ and theremin, and her producing style often features strings woodwinds. The two musician's experimental backgrounds lend to the album's uncut, clashing feel, yet they both have an excellent sense for what sounds good.

The album starts off with "Who", a single that you are not likely to forget any time soon after you hear it. The song begins with sparse, chaotic horn samples that clash both rhythmically and tonally throughout the intro. However, they instantly and seamlessly mesh into a funky groove just in time for Byrne's distinctive voice to make its entrance. Soon the beat breaks down and St. Vincent makes her entrance with an ethereal vocal line. The most distinctive aspect of this song is the orchestration, which features an enormous variety of instruments and samples that all seem to belong right where they are. This chaotic producing carries on through the entire album, relying heavily on blaring brass and syncopated electric beats.

Highlights of the rest of the album include "Weekend In The Dust", in which St. Vincent lays down a solid melody over a ridiculously funky tuba riff; "I Am An Ape", where Byrne reveals a softer side of his voice that retains the distinction of even his wildest songs; and "The One Who Broke Your Heart", which seems to break into an almost samba-like feel during the chorus. However, every single song is completely unique and worth a listen.

If nothing else, "Love This Giant" is a new sound. The album officially releases on September 11 – I look forward to buying the CD as soon as possible. If you want to listen to it before then, NPR's website offers a free listen-through which I highly suggest. And if you hate it, well, at least you tried something different.