w h o k i l l

tUnE-yArDs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4ad Records
• ASIN: B004LPNB74
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,719 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. My Country

2. Es-so

3. Gangsta

4. Powa

5. Riotriot

6. Bizness

7. Doorstep

8. You Yes You

9. Wooly Wolly Gong

10. Killa

Editorial Reviews

Garbus has applied the tUnE-yArDs live approach to her studio work for the first time in w h o k i l l. Her tools have not changed. Rather, she's added more buttons and joints to those already being used (one essential new joint is dexterous bass member Nate Brenner, who co-wrote a few songs.) The opportunities exploited are evident in w h o k i l l's dynamic range as it matches Garbus' creative strides.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate and satisfying music April 29, 2011

By Jeff Engel

Format:Audio CD

I've been listening to this album for a couple of weeks (captured from a pre-release stream from NPR). At first it seemed jagged and a bit gimmicky (like the alternating caps in the band's name), but after more than a dozen listens, it all sounds like music and it all sounds authentic (not gimmicky), rich, and amazing, so I've ordered the CD through my local record store (sorry, Amazon). It has been fun as well to watch live performances on YouTube and see how Merrill and her combo construct the music on stage with a loop pedal, ukelele, and that incredible voice (not to mention some very tasty bass).

This music rewards repeated listening: I'm still hearing new things, and because the lyrics aren't always easy to hear, new snatches are still surfacing (not always pleasant when you finally understand the words). My favorite song for a long time was Powa, romantic and sexy with a great slow build; lately my favorite changes depending on the day (today it's the last track, Killa), and I think that is a sign of a great album.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Earthly pleasure April 22, 2011

By MTL

Format:MP3 Music

I'm pretty OCD when it comes to organizing my songs, but Tune-yards makes music that inspired me to create a new genre in iTunes called "music". As in, hard-to-classify, genre-busting, down-right *good* music. I guess I'd call it "Afro-electronic funk-alternative acoustic R&B world soul".

Merrill's voice has an incredibly unique tone, rich with expression. The instrumentation is for the most part minimalist, but is heavily supported by looped riffs of her fascinating vocalizations; just listen to a few seconds of 'Bizness' and you'll hear what I mean.

Favorite tracks are Gangsta, Powa, Bizness, but really the whole album is a well-worthwhile listen and purchase. (also, go check out "Bird-Brains". The track 'Sunlight' is gorgeous)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but Flawed in its Entirety September 9, 2011

By The Komik Khan

Format:MP3 Music

Alot of people find the album "WHO Kill" hard to review, and SIRIUS XMU kept getting feedback whether this was the real deal or not. For me, it was fresh and inovative, but with many new takes on genre-bending music, it's a hate it or love it kind of deal. This reviewer personally loves the approach and sound that the "Tune-Yards" are pumping out. What is the genre? Well that's what makes this album so great. A mix of Indie, Hip Hop, Skat, and whatever else you can lable them with. You'd think alot of the beats are produced on "Reason" or something, but all the videos I've seen of them in they've produce all organic beats. Exceptional!

This album is far from perfect, with many of the songs being okay but not as catchy as the four really great ones, the experimental sound can make or break it for the listener, in the end the four best songs on "Who Kill" make up for the rest of the album. The biggest hook line and sinker is definatly the "Bizness" which really shows off Merrill Garbus (YES IT'S A CHICK! DUH) vocal prowess. "Powa", "Doorstep", and "You Yes You" are the remaining greats while the others are just seminally okay.

Based on those few songs I'd give this album 5 stars, but the leftovers are hard to get into. This reviewer is really looking foreward to the next album and seeing what the "Tune-Yards" can really shell out. I believe we have something very important developing here. One last quip I'd have is that while the vocals are brought into a spectacular art-form by Merrill, they can fall short in the song-writing department, still this doesn't hold the "Tune-Yards" back from a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

7/10

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of 2011 April 28, 2011

By mr. flux

Format:Audio CD

Time will tell, but this is probably a masterpiece. I bought W H O K I L L on its day of release and I can't stop listening to it. I'm listening to it for the fourth time today which is very rare for me. The music is wonderfully rich and packs dozens of styles into a cohesive, imaginative, and addictive entirety. It's as close to perfection as it gets. For comparison, I can hear the swagger of Dirty Projectors, the kinetic of Florence & The Machine, the flourishes, if not the sound, of the Fiery Furnaces and the imaginative punch of St. Vincent. Most outstanding is Merrill Garbus' voice. It lifts and fuses the complex collisions of jazz, funk, r&b, hip-hop, and rock into one big adventure. I have already told everyone I know to get this album and I expect it will top many year-end lists. This is a must-have in my opinion.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, genre defying and like nothing you've heard before... March 11, 2012

By Kelly M. Atkins

Format:Audio CD

I've heard about tUnE-yArDs for a while now and finally gave it a go a few months ago and I'm one of those fans that just can't get enough of this innovative, inventive and thoroughly imaginative music. Her voice is strong, sure, pitch perfect and has attitude for days, her musicianship is stellar and her songwriting is way ahead of its time. All of her sample loops are done live, her rhythms are organic and looped live and her approach is so fresh, so surprising, it's hard not to watch her perform with your jaw on the floor the whole time. If you're not convinced that she's doing something new and important here, see her live. Here's an example: [...]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Powerful But Not An Everyday Listen April 22, 2012

By David Froman

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

For the NPR crowd: This is a tough album to listen to on a regular basis - dark lyrics along with a frenetic background make for an only occasional listen on my IPod. I like a several of the songs, and she has an amazing voice. You might just download a song or two: