tUnE-yArDs - BiRd-BrAiNs

tUnE-yArDs is the singular musical project of New England native Merrill Garbus.
Her DIY approach has a vast mix of sounds, incorporating samples, elements of world music, Reggae, folk with an altogether pop sensibility.
The production on this very Lo-Fi album will have the music students ripping their hair out by the bulk load and wondering why their generally over produced and uninteresting rubbish isn't being picked by the likes of Warp because they 'obviously' know more about production and filters on Cubase.
So that was a bit of a rant but the real attraction that lies with tUnE-yArDs can't be taught at any sub division middle class music college, Merrill Garbus' one man band approach is pretty unique, combining her ukulele with samples of general household objects, strange samples of kids talking about blueberries tinny drums and vocals recorded through such an obscure little voice recorder that when it’s overloaded it starts crackling.
This mess of noise comes together brilliantly and the style of recording really only caters for a certain type of music and tUnE-yArDs is just that, although hers is the rare, slightly unhinged talent I do wonder what it would sound like given access to a plush recording studio. Songs such as ‘Sunlight’ and ‘Little Tiger’ are a great example of the type of catchy, intimate sound that tUnE-yArDs creates.
BiRd-BrAiNs is one of those albums that doesn’t come round every day, it pushes boundaries, maybe not
In the same way ‘Pink Floyd’ did but nevertheless you won’t hear anything quite like it.
The album comes in a delightful screenprinted cardboard sleeve, once again emphasising the DIY ethics of the album, the picture above does not do it justice.