2011-04-25
For Tune-Yards’ second release, Merrill Garbus has gone a bit Lo-Fi. Not that WhoKill doesn’t have its share of samples, effects, and tribal beats. There are also plenty of straight up vocals, displaying Ms. Garbus’ awesome range. She can go from guttural rapping (“Gangsta”), to pop chanteuse (“Wooly Wolly Gong”), to something akin to Bjork (“You Yes You”)...sometimes all in one song (“Powa”). All this is backed by interesting, often home-made instrumentation. Songs often seem patched together, but it doesn’t seem to be detrimental...indeed it works to advantage. While WhoKill is intriguing and somewhat eccentric, it doesn’t quite measure up to Tune-yards’ esoteric first release, Birdbrains, an album that I liked immensely. Rebecca RuthJOSEPH ARTHUR AND THE LONELY ASTRONAUTS
Temporary People
THE HOOTERS
TIME STAND STILL
THE INSTRUCTION
Failure By Design
El Perro Del Mar
From The Valley To The Stars
FUTURE CLOUDS AND RADAR
Future Clouds and Radar
Lou Barlow
Goodnight Unknown
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