Customer Reviews

w h o k i l l

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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)

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

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.

Clever arrangements, great performances. The album veers from sparse and tribal to thick and lush, often with little warning. The vocals have a savageness to them that is just amazing when she really gets going, and the songs manage to be catchy for all their weirdness. Definitely a new favorite!

As a Tune-Yards newbie I'm very happy to have found Merrill's music; it's complex yet melodic and simple, her voice is full of life and sounds wonderful solo or layered in dense overdubs of lilting harmony, the production and song-writing is odd, aggressive and FUN to listen to. The African elements are readily apparent and are a big part of these shining, sunny tunes even when the lyrics turn somber.

First heard tUnE-yArDs on NPRs 'First Listen.' When I was finished, I wanted more. This album can be overwhelming at first with the various sounds and the absurd (but awesome) vocals of Merrill Garbus. After my ears and mind settled in the music I was blown away. The album starts off with a hit in "My Country." This song is upbeat, crazy, and luscious with vocals, drum beats, synthesizers, and instruments I could probably never name. Thankfully she provides us with various hits on the album, from "Powa" to "Gangsta" to "Bizness" I promise you there is a song for your musical background whether it be mainstream pop, classic jazz, or Whitney Houston's high notes. This is an album you will not forget!

Great sounds! The tuneyards absolutely kill it! I searched everywhere for this album and was so pleased to find it online! I am a very satisfied customer! Shipping was super quick and the product quality was great!

Search Youtube for videos showing how this sound comes together, it's quite a remarkable process.

I find this to be an infectious sound and it stands up to repeated listening. This is highly crafted music that deserves to be supported.

Whatever this is, I am fascinated by it to the point of near addiction. I heard this before seeing any pictures of Merrill Garbus, and I thought this was the first authentic alt-R&B diva -- ghetto, soulful, low-fi, ironic even. Then I found out the diva is white, and I began to worry I was listening to some kind of alt-minstrelsy. Then I just kept listening ... to the gleeful kiss-off "My Country" (no future here), the insouciant couplet "My man likes me from behind/To tell the truth I never mind," and the protest song about the cop who guns down her boyfriend on her doorstep. So I don't pretend to know how far this talented and, yes, soulful performer can go by loving rastas while copping to never being able to have as much heart as them. For now, though, there is heart a-plenty on display here, including the most gorgeous lullaby since the Pretenders' "Lovers of Today."