Thao & the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All - Eco Mix Gray Vinyl - VINYL LP

As sharp as I sing, it still soothes you, doesn't it? Like a lick of ice cream? sings Thao Nguyen on her Kill Rock Stars debut, We Brave Bee Stings and All. Whether it's intentional or not, the line describes her sound perfectly. Nguyen's rich, breathy voice - and the way she croons, yelps, and drawls with it - recalls Cat Power, Fiona Apple, and Sinéad O'Connor. However, these comparisons suggest that Thao is a searing, intense artist when nothing could be further from the truth her country-tinged indie folk-pop is playfully observant, mischievous with just a hint of vulnerability. By playing against type and putting a voice that seems tailor-made for brooding into songs that are sunny and sweet, Nguyen carves out her own intriguing territory among indie folk songstresses. On We Brave Bee Stings and All's first two songs. InchBeat (Health, Life and Fire)Inch builds brass, ukulele, and piano to an urgent but joyous peak, while InchBag of HammersInch is as rambling as it is catchy. The interplay between Nguyen and her band, the Get Down Stay Down, is more intuitive than ever, and the album's fuller sound (courtesy of producer Tucker Martine) complements her more fully formed songs. In fact, most of the album is so cheery that it's a good thing Nguyen's voice isn't delicate, or her music might be sickly sweet instead of fresh and engaging. Fortunately, InchFeet AsleepInch's Dixieland moxie and InchGeographyInch's jazzy flourishes help keep the album from sounding too predictable. Even if this isn't Thao's first album, We Brave Bee Stings and All is a fine introduction to her music. Album Tracks 1. Beat (Health, Life, and Fire) 2. Bag of Hammers 3. Big Kid Table 4. Swimming Pools 5. Geography 6. Feet Asleep 7. Yes, So on and So on 8. Fear and Convenience 9. Violet 10. Travel 11. We Go 12. Tallymarks (Live) 13. You Really Got a Hold on Me