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 10/2008

    Ane Brun – Changing of the Seasons
    Changing of the Seasons

  • reviewed 07/2004

    Umphrey's McGee
    Anchor Drops

  • reviewed 03/2009

    YOUTH GROUP
    The Night is Ours

  • reviewed 11/2010

    BRYAN FERRY
    OLYMPIA

  • reviewed 10/2006

    STOLL VAUGHAN
    Love Like A Mule

  • reviewed 01/2005

    Trespassers William
    Different Stars

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.