This past week I was searching through some of the postings on Tiny Mix Tapes and I found this band, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Thao Nguyen and the rest of her band comprise a very interesting group of individuals. In fact, one of the stories I read on Wikipedia about Thao almost makes her character seem more interesting than her music.
So they just released a new album Know Better Learn Faster; but since I recently heard about them, I thought I would dive a little deeper into their album history. We Brave Bee Stings and All (2008) is a great place to start.
From the opening track, "Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)," I find myself enticed with little lines of wisdom and advanced culture. Thao's song "Bag of Hammers" is a fun little pop record that can grab most of the attention for the album, but the latter tracks contain a lot of important content. There are lines in "Bag of Hammers" that keep me occupied with thought, like 'shake the frame of this house/distress the wood/ make it shout.' Makes me think it's possible to accomplish. Furthermore, the track "Swimming Pools" seems to be the representative track for the album since it has lingering lyrics from the title, and it strives to satisfy the ears.
Banjo tunes, acoustic guitar riffs, catchy beats and melodies. It all adds up to their simple explanation of the music on their myspace page: "tangles of guitar, knots of singing, threads of beat and thump make a rope fit for hauling the heavy machinery of your day." I'm sold.
-Cory Vogel
I was only able to listen to 5 tracks of this album, and I was surprised to find that I really like it. "Beat" sounds so familiar to me, but I think it's because I heard it playing at Jess Cole's house; it sounds like her.
ReplyDelete"Bag of Hammers" is also a really great song. The lyrics are really good and the instrumentation is really cool. Thao's voice is androgynous, but I find it pleasant, so it doesn't matter.
I actually liked all 5 tracks that are up on Grooveshark right now. I'd buy this album. Thanks for the review.
p.s. - This was honest feedback; not just to contrast the negative feedback I've given, thus far.
Haven't heard this one. I thought the new one was amazing, so maybe I'll check this one out.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to listening to their latest album. Some review said that they broke away from the folk-style a little bit, and I'd like to listen to that unfold.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I found Thao's voice very interesting to listen to. Pleasant is a really good way to put it.
-Cory