#merrill garbus

Listen/purchase: Better Dreaming by Tune-Yards

This just dropped, and it’s another great release from Tune-Yards, including a song, “Limelight,” that co-bandleaders Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner wrote inspired by dancing to George Clinton with their kid (who, reportedly, insisted on the first take as the best).

Beyond the great vocals, hooks, and production, there are the lyrics, ranging from affirming couplets like:

“Turn away from those who hate you Turn to meet the ones that keep you warm“

to the search for meaning: “Dreaming of life without the noise Dreaming the strangest strains of voice Dreaming that I might have a choice And that I'd choose much better”

What’s going on in the country has not been lost on Tune-Yards, and this album is a response to it in a variety of ways.

..:: #38. Battles - Last Supper On Shasta Pt. 1 ::..

It's always great when you find out that two artists you like have decided to collaborate. This time we've got the SF bay area freak folk act Tune-Yards who found herself on the fourth album of experimental math rock band Battles. "Last Supper On Shasta Pt. 1" has Battles setting up an off-kilter jam out of a syncopated drum beat and some crunchy synth patterns while Merrill Garbus joins in with her unmistakable voice. At first she just casually strolls along, but eventually she starts layering her voice back and forth as if creating a huge painting out of long, broad strokes. The juxtaposition of Battles splintered instrumentation with Merrill's resonant voice results in something that's not simply a Battles song, and also not quite a Tune-Yards song, but instead a truly unique creation.

Best Moment: At 1:19 and 2:45 when Merrill's voice feels like it's being used as some sort of emergency siren as it powerfully pierces the sky.

The Album [Juice B Crypts]: 7/10