Tastiest of 2011 - tUnE-yArDs

The first time I head tUnE-yArDs, my wife and I were negotiating the tight hairpin turns of Berthoud Pass, returning from a ski weekend in Winter Park, CO. Our friend Julie had given us a couple of CDs for the drive back to the front range and she prefaced the tUnE-yArDs disc with a "be open-mined about this one." And without question, you do need an open mind to enjoy Merill Garbus and her ever-growing band. But if you do open yourself up to them, you'll be happy you did. Merill Garbus is one of the most innovative, talented, fun, and strange musicians I've heard in years, and my ears happily eat up everything she does. Garbus creates drum loops before adding in her ukulele and powerful voice along with bass and saxophone from other members of the band. The result is cool beyond words. 


Here's the most popular song from the w h o k i l l album, Bizness Tune-Yards – Bizness

Also from w h o k i l l, Ganster. Tune-Yards – Gangsta
Bang Bang Oi!

Finally, here's the NPR Tiny Desk Concert from Merill Garbus and crew. What I love so much about this is how well it showcases the tUnE-yArDs music creation process. Awesome!