One thing South by Southwest is still a pretty good tool for is building hype around noteworthy new albums by acts who’ve already been around the block. This was especially apparent on opening night with these two big showcases…

St. Vincent: After a widespread blogger/ga-ga fanboy buzz over her 2007 debut album “Marry Me,” the indie-rock starlet also known as Annie Clark could’ve been easily set up for a sophomore slump. Or she could do what she already seemed to accomplish on SXSW’s opening night, which was to not just reinforce her artistic merit but add an extra dose of oomph to it.

The Dallas-bred singer-guitarist (she’s a pretty great guitarist, too) performed in the Central Presbyterian Church, an actual operating house of holy that has become a religious site for SXSW goers who really want to listen and absorb a show. She gave them plenty to take in, too, with a band that rotated between instruments (violin, keyboards, sax, clarinet) and a set focused mostly on the new album, “Actor,” out May 5 on 4AD. New songs such as “Save Me From What I Want” and the must-hear “Actor Out of Work” sounded like more complete and punchier versions of the tracks on her debut, with a charming mix of Bowie, Blondie and Bjork. And no, I’m not just going for B singers. My guess is this one record that will earn plenty of A ratings.

The Decemberists: Portland’s pleasant, sweet, pink-faced indie-folk band has up and gone metal on us. Well, not exactly, but there were moments in the group’s set outdoors at Stubb’s that recalled Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge” debacle, not because of any props but because of an omnipresent mysticism and occasional headbang-worthy rock ‘n’ roll. The band was in town to preview its first disc in three years, “The Hazards of Love” (due next week), which is a concept album veering toward a rock opera. The album was played in its entirety, which is always a bold move that I believe more bands should try. Another interesting twist: Frontman Colin Meloy stood back a lot to make room for more female vocals, including a stellar surprise guest turn by My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden. The overall results were better than it sounds, but just by a hair. As in hair band.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 at 3:40 am and is filed under Main, SXSW. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.