November 19, 2009

Tune-Yards @ The Paradise, 11/17/2009

1 C Dirty Projectors
2 Tbsp TV On The Radio
2/3 C Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Zest of Regina Spektor

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Beat furiously, until frothy and rich. Voila: Tune-Yards!

Apologies for resorting to the music critics crutch, the “this-band-sounds-like-these-bands” technique. It’s a lame way of describing a sound, and it’s nearly impossible to encapsulate Tune-Yards anyway. But after Tuesday night’s show at The Paradise, recipes just spring to mind.

Watching Tune-Yards frontwoman Merrill Garbus on stage was like watching a master chef at work. Front and center, she managed two microphones, two drums, a ukulele, and a number of looping pedals, using them to create phenomenal songs piece by piece. Starting with a small vocal melody or two, she would add harmonies and drums until she had a rich backbone for every song. Once compiled, she would turn to her bassist, silence that backbone, and begin to shred – and I mean shred – her ukulele. Building to an initial climax with bass, ukulele, and her surprisingly soulful voice,  Garbus would then hit the loop pedal and take the song to the next level with the explosive re-introduction of the opening drum/voice phrase. It was a fascinating process to watch.

More than just fascinating to watch, though, Tune-Yards made blisteringly hot music. As Ben noted after the first song, each song would have easily lent itself to a half hour long jam. The crowd hooted and hollered throughout the set, vocalizing the primal joy that the music evoked. Tune-Yards wove yelps and coos together, overlaid them with strange lyrics, and somehow made them danceable. Opening for a band with one of the most impressive albums of this year, Tune-Yards managed to completely steal the show.

On her final song, Garbus yelled out “DO YOU WANNA LIVE?” and the audience shouted back a full-voiced “YEAH” in unison. I don’t think there’s a better summary of how her set made me feel.

Tune-Yards – Hatari (YSI) (filesavr)
Tune-Yards - News (YSI) (filesavr)

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3 comments:

matt said...

good stuff, i like the way it flows

you guys get your hands on the new animal collective? beachhouse??

Chris said...

yeah, the new beachhouse is awesome, expect to see it in the next week or so.

as for new AC, I've been loving "What Would I Want Sky" for months now...it's brilliant. I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on the whole Fall Be Kind EP!

matt said...

yeah wwyws is by far my favorite on the new ep

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