Thao & Mirah

When this album first starting playing, I thought I accidentally had other music going in the background. I began closing windows on my computer, trying to figure out what else was simultaneously playing until I realized it was just the album. Don't get me wrong, I love the diverse use of instrumentals Thao and Mirah use on "Eleven," the first track on their self-titled album, but maybe a layer or two could be forgone. Admittedly, it did jar me... yet it kidnapped my attention, which perhaps was their ultimate intention.This album teases the listener to define their sound; I think it's endearing that these ladies don't seem to quite know what they want to sound like just yet. Give Thao and Mirah a break though, for two solo artists that came together for their first album, this LP pretty damn impressive. True, they are all over the place, but make it work... and me likey. I like their mellow tracks ("Little Cups" and "Spaced Out Oribit") and LOVE when they get things kicking, ("Rubies and Rocks" and "How Dare You").I definitely enjoyed how they wrap up the energy of the album with a great laugh -- which was contagious by the way -- in "Squareneck."Their debut album drops on April 26, so check these San Franciscans on tour! Fuck yeah, ladies. Do yo thang.Tour dates:May 201101 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour -- w/ Led to Sea02 -- Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho -- w/ Led to Sea03 -- Oakland, CA @ The New Parish -- w/ Led to Sea05 -- Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore -- w/ Led to Sea06 -- Bellingham, WA @ WWU -- w/ The New Pornographers07 -- Seattle, WA @ Crocodile -- w/ Led to Sea08 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom -- w/ Led to Sea09 -- Olympia, WA @ Northern -- w/ Led to SeaJune 201102 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center -- w/ Led to Sea03 -- Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle -- w/ Led to Sea05 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace -- w/ Led to Sea07 -- Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears -- w/ Led to Sea09 -- Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church -- w/ Led to Sea10 -- Washington, DC @ Black Cat -- w/ Led to Sea11 -- Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 50612 -- Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle13 -- Atlanta, GA @ The Earl15 -- St Louis, MO @ Off Broadway -- w/ Led to Sea18 -- Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive19 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad20 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room -- w/ Led to Sea21 -- San Diego, CA @ Casbah -- w/ Led to Sea23 -- San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall -- w/ Led to Sea