TUNE-YARDS

WhoKill

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 Ruth

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 07/2011

    THE DEER TRACKS
    The Archer Trilogy Pt. 2

  • reviewed 04/2015

    Love Axe
    South Dakota

  • reviewed 05/2011

    SPITTING IMAGE
    Ratta-Tatta-Boom!!

  • reviewed 11/2011

    GIRLS
    Father, Son, Holy Ghost

  • reviewed 10/2012

    BAT FOR LASHES
    The Haunted Man

  • reviewed 04/2009

    ZACHARY RICHARD
    LAST KISS

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.