Tame Impala, just ruminating on their epic year

2012 is long gone, but the music lives on. Relive it right here. Luckily for us, music never gets old. Well, okay, when you hear Rihanna telling you to shine bright like a diamond YET AGAIN, then it does get old. But I promise, you’re going to like this stuff.

Singles have taken over for albums as the most important musical medium, with our download-heavy culture now, but there will always be something special about the ‘album.’ The cover, the track order, the high points and low points all contribute to its character.

Notice that each entry has a Spotify link, along with YouTube links to three key tracks from the album. Kick back and enjoy.

25. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
Spotify
Key Tracks: Emmylou | The Lion’s Roar | Blue
This Swedish female duo hit it big after covering Fleet Foxes’ Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, quickly showing the world their innate knack for bone-chilling harmonies. The Lion’s Roar is full of mountainous, pastoral folk rock for your next jaunt in the wilderness.

24. Jack White – Blunderbuss
Spotify
Key Tracks: Freedom at 21 | Sixteen Saltines | Love Interruption
The mastermind behind the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, and the Dead Weather finally released his first solo album. Some of it rocked, some of it burned slow, but overall, it was a solid effort.

23. Melody’s Echo Chamber – Melody’s Echo Chamber
Spotify
Key Tracks: I Will Follow You | Mount Hopeless | Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?
Everything about this album, from the cover to the sound effects, scream 1967. The Summer of Love vibe is thick on this debut album from French singer Melody Prochet, produced by Tame Impala mastermind Kevin Parker. Personal favorite: “Mount Hopeless.”

22. Titus Andronicus – Local Business
Spotify
Key Tracks: In A Big City | Still Life With Hot Deuce and Silver Platter | My Eating Disorder
Despite what many perceive as a failure to live up to their previous album, The Monitor, Titus Andronicus rocks hard on Local Business. My personal favorite track is “My Eating Disorder,” an 8-minute epic with harmonizing guitars that hearken back to Judas Priest.

21. Kishi Bashi – 151A
Spotify
Key Tracks: Bright Whites | Manchester | I Am the Antichrist to You
Kishi Bashi wins the award for most underrated album of the year. It didn’t get a lot of attention, but it won the hearts of those that listened to it. You may have heard his single “Bright Whites,” but check out the whole album, beautifully orchestrated and carefully crafted. If anything, I encourage you to check out “Manchester”: “Will you be mine? I haven’t felt this alive in a long time.”

20. Ty Segall – Twins
Spotify | YouTube
Key Tracks: The Hill | Thank God for the Sinners | Gold On the Shore
Ty Segall, the garage rock hero from San Francisco via Laguna Beach, is a workaholic. He released three albums this year. Yeah, three. His solo effort, Twins, is a consistent and worthy addition to his catalog, full of blistering riffs mixed with more subdued melodies.

19. Lotus Plaza – Spooky Action At a Distance
Spotify
Key Tracks: Strangers | Eveningness | Remember Our Days
Lockett Pundt, the brainchild behind Lotus Plaza and guitarist for Deerhunter, kind of slipped this album in under the radar, but it won me over with its subtle beauty. Every track is hypnotic, understated, and downright appealing. “Remember Our Days” is one of my favorite songs of the year, perfect accompaniment for introspective. The shimmering guitar riff of “Eveningness” and looping guitars and snare drums of “Strangers” are highlights.

18. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits
Spotify
Key Tracks: My Love is Real | Would That Not Be Nice | Like Ice Cream
Britt Daniel of Spoon is a beast. Everything he does is gold. His voice is pure rock n’ roll. That’s why everything about his new project Divine Fits, along with members of Wolf Parade and New Bomb Turks, was a shot of swagger and awesomeness. This is what a rock record should sound like. Just listen to that slinking bass line in “Would That Not Be Nice.”

17. Allah-Las – Allah-Las
Spotify
Key Tracks: Tell Me (What’s On Your Mind) | Catamaran | Busman’s Holiday
Allah-Las conjure images of breezy beaches and good times with the greatest of ease. Many bands strive to capture the beach aura, but few are as effective and chill as these guys.

16. The Tallest Man On Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Spotify
Key Tracks: Revelation Blues | Wind and Walls | To Just Grow Away
Kristian Matsson, the Swede known as the Tallest Man on Earth, is the master of acoustic ballads, complete with nasally Bob Dylan-esque voice. On his third album, There’s No Leaving Now, Matsson continues his consistent run of excellent albums, adding a bit of unique production techniques on this one.

15. Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
Spotify
Key Tracks: Give it Away | Desperation Breeds | Lusitania
Andrew Bird takes the cake for the smartest and most talented guy on this list. A violoin virtuoso with a perfect singing voice, Bird captivates with his poignant songwriting. Personal favorite: “Sifters”, in which he wonders what would happen if he and his lover were born in different eras. “What if we hadn’t been born at the same time / What if you were 75 and I were 9?”

14. Ty Segall Band – Slaughterhouse
Spotify
Key Tracks: Tell Me What’s Inside Your Heart | I Bought My Eyes | Wave Goodbye
Remember how I was talking about that workaholic kid from Laguna? This is him, again. Complete with backing band. The hardest garage rock out there.

13. Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream
Spotify
Key Tracks: Do You… | Adorn | Use Me
Miguel rode the wave of an invigorated R&B scene (see: Frank Ocean, How to Dress Well, “Climax” by Usher, etc.). Although Miguel didn’t reach the popular heights of Frank Ocean, Miguel’s burst onto the scene was in many ways, just as good. “Adorn” is as sexy as it gets. “Do You…” is as catchy as it gets. Not a bad track on this whole album.

12. Chromatics – Kill For Love
Spotify | Soundcloud
Key Tracks: Kill For Love | Lady | Back From the Grave
Chromatics was originally slated to score the movie Drive with Ryan Gosling. Although that didn’t work out, their 2012 album Kill For Love caught me by surprise. I’ve said this a million times before, but it’s perfect for a night drive. Perfect. The mild electronic beats and melodies come in waves, breaking you away from the hypnotic calm moments.

11. Beach House – Bloom
Spotify
Key Tracks: Lazuli | Myth | Other People
Bloom picks up where Teen Dream left off in 2010, improving upon Beach House’s excellent formula. The climactic moments of Bloom, such as at the end of “Lazuli,” are breathtaking. Every chorus on every song brings a huge payoff – you can’t wait to hear it and you never want it to end.

10. The xx – Coexist
Spotify
Key Tracks: Chained | Angels | Sunset
It would have been a supremely daunting task to improve upon xx, the group’s 2009 debut. Instead of building on that album, the xx decided to take a step back and create an even more minimalistic album. Many saw the album as boring, disappointing, a “sophomore slump.” Those assessments are simply incorrect. Coexist is not as exciting as xx, but it is just as beautiful, if not more so. Melodies meander by, simply but impressively. The production shimmers as the two lead singers breathily sing tales of despair. Just check out this stripped down live version of “Fiction”. Amazing.

9. The Walkmen – Heaven
Spotify
Key Tracks: We Can’t Be Beat | Heaven | Line By Line
The boys of the Walkmen have toned it down considerably since their marquee single from 10 years ago, “The Rat”. They’ve grown up and had kids, and their sound reflects it. There is so much introspection and beauty on this one record. “We Can’t Be Beat” contain a pensive acoustic guitar, along with harmonies from Fleet Foxes’ frontman Robin Pecknold. And “Line by Line” is perfect soundtrack for a sunrise (or sunset) over the trees.

8. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
Spotify
Key Tracks: Gun Has No Trigger | Offspring Are Blank | Dance For You
I’ve always thought of Dirty Projectors’ music as excellent accompaniment for a modern art museum. It’s weird and abstract, but still appeals to your emotions. Swing Lo Magellan is the most normal record they’ve ever made though. There’s more meaning and feeling then ever before. Crazy sound effects and unbelievable random bouts of harmony still color the album, but there’s something there under it: heart.

7. Grizzly Bear – Shields
Spotify
Key Tracks: Sleeping Ute | Yet Again | Gun-Shy
“It remains difficult to relate to Grizzly Bear’s lyrics, but Shields’ skillful display of studio wizardry more than makes up for it. Grizzly Bear expertly combine the cerebral, technically tricky art-rock of Dirty Projectors with the pleasant folk harmonies and lush arrangements of Fleet Foxes. We get the best of both worlds — a psychedelic mish-mash of unique song structures, intricate ornamentation and beautiful vocals. Finding this terrain where abstract experimentalism meets catchy melodies can often be elusive, but Grizzly Bear roam across it with confidence. Opener “Sleeping Ute” epitomizes this convergence, featuring varying time signatures and stop-and-go tempos, providing a backdrop to a meandering but captivating melody. Fascinating instrumental flourishes abound — the bass tone on “Gun-Shy” or the flutelike synth line on “A Simple Answer.” And “Yet Again” could very well be the best song the band has ever written, with its swirling, ornate production and founding member Ed Droste’s impeccable melody.” -Daily Californian Review

6. The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
Spotify
Key Tracks: White Cedar | Lakeside View Apartments Suite | The Diaz Brothers
I’ll be honest, John Darnielle and the Mountain Goats blew me away with this record. I’ve always been interested in Darnielle and his incredible ability to churn out copious amounts of amazing songs, but this is the first album by him that really, truly connected with me. I’ll start saying this about every remaining album on the list, because that’s what happens as we approach #1, but dude: every song is good. The chorus and bass line on “Lakeside View Apartments Suite” is catchy, “Cry For Judas” is amazing, and the powerful refrain of “Amy a.k.a. Spent Gladiator” reverberates: “JUST STAY ALIVE.”

5. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Spotify
Key Tracks: The House That Heaven Built | Younger Us | Fire’s Highway
When Japandroids are firing on all cylinders, there’s no stopping them. Their heart-thumping, fist-pumping brand of rock and roll makes you feel alive. I can’t even begin to describe the excitement that results from listening to “The Nights of Wine and Roses” in the car on a Friday night with endless possibilities ahead. The formula for Japandroids is simple but potent. Give way to your inhibitions and “give me younger us.”

4. Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory
Spotify
Key Tracks: Stay Useless | Cut You | Separation
Attack On Memory came out of nowhere. Cloud Nothings were a pop punk band with nothing very unique to offer on their debut, but then came blistering through the music scene with their sophomore album, completely changing their sound (thanks in part to longtime Nirvana producer Steve Albini). This was by far one of the most consistent releases of the year. Every track is awesome. “Wasted Days” is incredible, “Stay Useless” is catchy, and “No Future / No Past” is absolutely punishing. The intersection of grunge, punk, pop, and garage thrashing never sounded so invigorating.

3. Tame Impala – Lonerism
Spotify
Key Tracks: Elephant | Feels Like We Only Go Backwards | Mind Mischief
“Do not listen to Lonerism on your Macbook’s weak speakers. It will be like viewing a Van Gogh through a screen door. No, you need some headphones — or even better, some car speakers, so Tame Impala can soundtrack your modern-day magical mystery tour. On the second album from Kevin Parker’s psych throwback band Tame Impala, released in October, John Lennon is present in the vocals, Led Zeppelin in the riffs and Pink Floyd in the trippy wordplay. But no band has combined those elements as effectively as these Australian phenoms. Lonerism is heavy on reverb, fat bass tones and wobbly synths. Listen to it a few times so the swirling nuances can wash over you. When it sinks in, it doesn’t leave.” -Daily Californian Review.

2. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city
Spotify
Key Tracks: Swimming Pools (Drank) | Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst | The Art of Peer Pressure
good kid, m.A.A.d. city is undeniably the best hip-hop album since Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It’s a masterpiece. The production is smooth and varied, Kendrick’s flow is infectious, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of growing up in Compton. Every single track has something to offer, whether it be the ominous foreboding beat of “Swimming Pools (Drank),” the silky verse from Drake on “Poetic Justice,” the tales of youthful indiscretion on “The Art of Peer Pressure,” the epic closing to “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” or that Beach House sample on “Money Trees.” Ya bish.

1. Frank Ocean – Channel ORANGE
Spotify
Key Tracks: Thinkin’ Bout You | Forrest Gump | Pyramids
The year 2012 will be remembered as the year of Frank Ocean. He made a splash in a huge way. But here’s the thing: when you strip away all the backstory and the narrative associated with Ocean’s character, you’re still left with a stunning album in Channel ORANGE. Even if Ocean was the most boring and conventional dude on the planet, Channel ORANGE would still dazzle with its range, production, content, depth, and ambition.

Here’s what I said in my Daily Californian review: As Ocean’s perfect croon soaks into the soul on “Thinkin’ Bout You,” it is impossible not to reflect on all of Ocean’s qualities. He’s an immensely talented, creative, good-looking, up-and-coming pop star, but out of all the things going for him, his greatest asset is still his voice. Honestly, those vocal chords could be the eighth wonder of the world. Channel ORANGE is like a swim through a vast sea of swirling currents and serene beauty. With every gorgeous vocal flourish, Ocean’s tales of isolation and lost love burrow into your being. His soothing, pitch-perfect voice is enough to elevate him to stardom, but it’s his ear for sonic beauty and mind for lyrical boldness that carry him to greatness.

Beach House’s excellent album Bloom was released today to rave reviews. “Lazuli” is one of those tracks that pummels you with its “epicness” halfway through. The song changes gear at the 2:33 mark — after being stripped down to its basics, layers of sound are gradually added. First come the guitar arpeggios, then Victoria Legrand’s lead vocals, followed by the bass. Once the backing vocals come in, you recognize how amazing “Lazuli” is.

Adam Yauch, known on stage as “MCA” and in our ears as the Beastie Boy with the low and raspy voice, died of cancer last week at the age of 47. Besides being a gifted, yet hilarious rapper, he was an all-around good guy who knew what was important. Yauch’s passing is effectively the end of the Beastie Boys, because there’s no way they can carry on with out the heart, soul, and founding member of the group.

I’m just one voice out of the many that have already expressed their feelings over Yauch’s death. Feelings of joy, regret, and nostalgia. But all the stories are personal and unique, rendering every single one of them useful and appreciated. When I was in 5th grade, I owned two albums — The Beatles: 1962-1966 and the Beastie Boys’ Hello Nasty. I couldn’t stop listening to “Intergalactic” and was beyond excited every time they played it on the radio (106.7 KROQ, represent). I studied the lyrics until I mastered the whole thing and “performed” it for people at school. They would say “David, rap! Do a rap!” And so I’d bust out “Intergalactic” and probably sounded like an idiot, but I loved it.

It seems weird to get all sentimental about three goofballs who rapped about partying and brass monkeys and rumps. But when something is so inseparable and intertwined with your youth, you can’t help but feel it in your gut when it comes to an end. I’ll never stop blasting the Beastie Boys. R.I.P. MCA.

I’ve pored over the similarities between the hip-hop royalty duo of Kanye West and Jay-Z and the Miami Heat’s Big 2 of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Then it hit me that, individually, Kanye would be more appropriately compared with Los Angeles Lakers’ veteran Kobe Bryant.

Now, hear me out before you close the page in disgust. Full disclosure: I am a Laker fan — but this is by no means a love letter to Kobe Bryant, or Kanye West for that matter. This is an objective comparison between two influential people, occupying different sides of the entertainment world, but possessing uncanny similarities, both positive and negative. Here are 9 of them.

1. They are despised by a significant portion of the population
It’s well-documented that Kanye and Kobe are both very polarizing figures. They are accused of having huge egos, while failing to be outwardly friendly or sociable with the media. There are polls and Facebook groups that mince no words in proclaiming hate for Kobe. One blogger from the Hoop Doctors aggregated reasons for this hatred from various emails he had received, pointing to his cockiness, his penchant for trash talking, and self-absorption. Even (or should I say, especially) his hometown of Philly hates him.

If Kobe Bryant’s ego is big though, then Kanye West’s is gargantuan. His lyrics are full of self-aggrandizement and he often says and does really brash and controversial things, such as accusing George Bush of not caring about black people or comparing the hate he receives to that of Hitler.

But these reasons for animosity are all minor when compared to other incidents, which leads me to…

2. They each have one defining moment in their past that solidified the public’s hate
For Kanye, it was the infamous Taylor Swift incident at the 2009 VMA’s, which even drew a rebuke from the President. For Kobe, it was the charges of rape brought against him in 2003. The charges were eventually dropped, but the scar of infidelity still plagued his image.

I had dreams of the league,
One day I play Kobe,
I walk up to Puff and he already know me,
Coulda let the dream killers, kill my self esteem,
Or use the arrogance as a steam that power my dreams,
And my ego
–Kanye West on Beyonce’s Ego (Remix)

3. They are extremely talented and extremely successful
Kobe has won five NBA championships, two NBA finals MVPs, one regular season MVP, four All-Star Game MVPs, and two scoring titles. He’s appeared in the All-Star Game 14 times and made the All-NBA first team nine times. He once scored 81 points in a game and ranks fifth all-time in career regular season points scored. In his heyday, he was as athletic as they come, but now has settled into a wily, smart, and insanely competitive player who makes impossible shots and buzzer beaters. He is routinely described as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and often compared to the legendary Michael Jordan. The dude is good.

Kanye has won 18 Grammy awards and 44 Grammy nominations, has sold over 12 million albums and 30 million digital songs, and has had four #1 singles. He has created some of the best jams of the last decade and single-handedly brought a wider audience to hip-hop, through his infectious rapping style and his production genius. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest producers and rappers of all time. The dude is good.

Kobe Bryant and Kanye West: hated, talented, successful

4. Their unique first names both start with ‘K’ and overshadow their nicknames
The hip-hop world often refers to Kanye West as ‘Ye or Yeezy, and Kobe is called the Black Mamba (no, not the Black Walnut) from time to time, but their first names as they are just roll off the tongue, leading most to simply refer to them as Kobe and Kanye.

5. They were more cheerful at the beginning of their careers than they are now
Here’s an interesting comparison. Through the first three albums of Kanye’s career, his production work was happy and upbeat. The 2005 single “Touch the Sky” samples Curtis Mayfield’s triumphant “Move On Up” horn lines, which doesn’t induce any emotions besides sheer joy. That’s a fact. And on 2007′s “Good Life,” Kanye raps about loving life over another cheerful beat.

But then things got darker. Kanye’s relationship with his fiancee soured and his mother tragically passed away, leading to 808′s & Heartbreak, an auto-tune soaked lament about heartlessness, paranoia, cold winters, and locking down love. His 2010 masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy followed, which marked a return to rapping, but this time with a palette of self-loathing and doubt, on top of creepy (and awesome) beats.

Kobe’s shift isn’t as evident as Kanye’s, but it’s there. He used to be a cheerful kid on the court, with an easy smile. He says in this interview that he couldn’t help from grinning on his first day in the starting lineup. (By the way, kudos to Chick Hearn for using the word “palpatation.” R.I.P.)

Now, for better or worse, he’s a man on a mission, with no time for those easy smiles. Whether it’s a determination to catch Michael Jordan and win his sixth title, or just plain battle-weariness, he is strictly business when he steps on the court.

6. Many of those who hate them on a personal level still respect their work
President Obama reaffirmed his negative opinion of Kanye West just this month in an article in the Atlantic, but also stated that his fellow Chicago native was smart and talented. And I can’t even count the number of friends who tell me they hate Kobe Bryant, but begrudgingly admit to his level of talent.

7. They have an incredible work ethic
Kobe Bryant not only brings it for the full 48 minutes, but he works tremendously hard at improving his game in practice. Kanye West is no different, releasing a constant stream of solo albums, collaborations, guest verses, and producing an insane amount of records by other artists.

Tryin’ to get that Kobe number, one over Jordan.
–Kanye West on Swagger Like Us

8. They are both within two degrees of separation from the Kardashians
Kobe’s longtime friend and former teammate, Lamar Odom, is married to one of them — I don’t know which one and I don’t care. And Kanye, well…yeah.

9. Despite being the best at what they do, they still have something to prove
Kanye and Kobe were both born with a fierce competitiveness and a chip on their shoulder. By many accounts, they are the best at what they do, but they are constantly seeking to improve in order to shed any doubt. They are never satisfied.

Aaaannnd, there’s my dose of sports for this music blog. I apologize to those that couldn’t care less, but never fear, there is plenty of good music coming out right now that will be fully covered here, devoid of any athlete analogies.

I was walking home from work at the embassy the other day and, as per usual, slipped my iPod earbuds on. I was pumped to (internally) rock out to some White Stripes as I walked through downtown Santiago on this cloudy and cold day, but I got held up. Let’s back up. During the last hour of work, I had decided to throw on the latest Lotus Plaza release, Spooky Action at a Distance, since the album was pretty chill and wouldn’t disturb my coworkers, busily calling local Chilean mining companies. I had listened to the album a few times before and enjoyed it, but hadn’t gotten much out of it. Well 5:00 PM rolled around and I hadn’t finished the album, so the ninth track, “Remember Our Days,” was queued up when I got out the iPod. I decided I would listen to it a bit before switching over to some “Ball & Biscuit”, but I became entranced. It’s a beautiful little song. Nothing grand, but simple and awesome. I can’t stress how important the atmosphere around you is in determining your enjoyment of a song. And on this cold day, this track was what I needed.

The Beach Boys are reuniting for their 50th anniversary this year. FIFTY years! Honestly I’m shocked and pleased that mad genius Brian Wilson has made it this far (even if he does seem like a shell of his former self). But here they are with their newest single, “That’s Why God Made the Radio.” While the lyrics do express a sentiment with which I can relate, they certainly aren’t the most clever (Mike Love must have wrote them). And the production is a little too cheesily slick for my taste. But guys, listen to the harmonies on this thing. Those guys had a gift, plain and simple, and they still do. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

We won’t get into how the video could be better. Just listen.

P.S. Can you believe that NBA superstar Kevin Love is Beach Boy Mike Love’s nephew? I still can’t get over that.

Levon Helm, legendary drummer and vocalist for the Band, passed away from throat cancer last Thursday. Helm was unique in many ways — not only was he one of a select few drummers who also took over singing duties, but the Arkansas-native’s All-American voice was one in a million. If purple mountains’ majesties and fruited plains could sing, they would sound like Levon Helm.

Below, watch a clip of the Band performing their classic and timeless single “The Weight” from the Martin Scorsese-directed film The Last Waltz, which documents the Band playing their farewell concert in 1976. Then listen to the studio cut of the fun-loving “Up on Cripple Creek.”

The Band – “The Weight” (Live from The Last Waltz)

The Band – “Up on Cripple Creek”

1. Elbow’s “One Day Like This” (Chorus starts at 3:21)
2. Pitchfork’s #1 song of 2010, “Round and Round” by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (at 3:47)
3. The popular choice, “Hey Jude” by the Beatles

I kind of wish the first minute of the song was chopped off, but oh well. From 1:00 onward, it just builds and builds on the same chords (with great use of strings and a banjo) until the chorus bursts open at 4:17. Check it out.

There’s nothing quite like a solid “Night Drive” playlist, whether you’re throwing it on in a city with flashing lights or on some long and winding road. It needs a steady but compelling beat, with an aura of mystery about it. For me, the 90′s classic “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega is a perfect example. For a more indie-electro approach, I strongly suggest you download “Lady” by Chromatics and sync up your iPod. In fact, download the whole album, Kill For Love. It sets the mood perfectly. Two pieces of evidence that prove Chromatics can pinpoint the “Night Drive” aesthetic:

1. Their previous album was called, uh, Night Drive.
2. Johnny Jewel, Chromatics’ main man, was originally slated to score the entire movie Drive. The one with Ryan Gosling. If you’re one of the 99% of girls and 73% of guys that think Ryan Gosling is hot, well, there’s one more reason to check out this track. No, he’s not in this video, sorry.

Hopefully you’ve been watching the Coachella live stream this weekend. Or maybe you’ve decided to refrain from watching so as not to bang your head incessantly against a wall in anger for not being there. Don’t worry, my bruises aren’t too bad. I caught the tUnE-yArDs set today and it was absolutely incredible. For those that aren’t familiar, tUne-yArDs is the vehicle for Merrill Garbus and her completely unique compositions. Her last record, 2011′s whokill, is both catchy and experimental, with its drum beats, random sax lines, and Garbus’s guttural singing. Here’s the newly released video for the first cut on the album, “My Country,” complete with multitudes of colors and kids.

Seeing tUnE-yArDs on stage though was revelatory. She does all the drum and vocal loops live. Watching her work is incredible, even if you’re not into the music that much. She’ll get to work on a complex drum beat, adding layers upon layers, after which she’ll do syncopated vocal harmonies (remember how I feel about vocal harmonies) until it’s a full chorus and percussion section right there for her to manipulate with the tips of her toes on the pedals. The energy she brings to the show is amazing, as she strums along on her ukulele and yelps in tune with her loops.

No one’s put up a good recording of her Coachella performance, so I’ve posted a Studio 360 performance of “Bizness,” one of her best tracks. It’s weird seeing the audience sitting down instead of dancing, but it looks like the venue didn’t exactly provide for festival behavior. It’s still a great example of watching how Merrill Garbus does her thing.

Are you hesitating? I know what your hold-up is — it’s those darn capital letters, isn’t it? It took months for me to finally check out tUnE-yArDs because I hated those random capital letters. Don’t make the same mistake I did.