Thao Nguyen With The Get Down Stay Down – We Brave Bee Stings And All
I heard about Thao Nguyen on various blogs and while I usually don’t take upon blog suggestions I finally felt compelled enough to go for a listen after reading a post on SixEyes. Since then, I haven’t been able to get Thao Nguyen’s album out of my head.
First off Thao Nguyen (pronunciation is more like winn not new-yen which my friends had it as) is from Virginia originally and now out of Washington, DC and San Francisco. Together with her backing band The Get Down Stay Down, they combine elements of pop and folk with others mentioning Thao sounding like Cat Power and Feist. I think one the interesting things surround Thao Nguyen is when I mention her among friends. Some assume she’s from Vietnam singing in her native tongue, one thing for sure is that they definitely don’t have in mind what she sounds like. The fact that she’s Asian (as all of the writers here happen to be) doesn’t make a difference to me. She’s just that good. As a disclaimer, when it comes to females artists I am usually drooling over at how hot they are but I must say I don’t find Thao attractive (though her talent definitely makes her attractive) and even the other indie foxtresses like Jenny Lewis and Feist I don’t find that hot but I just love their music (my shallowness could explain why I’m still single).
Off to discuss “We Brave Bee Stings And All”. This album was released on January 29 so it’s flying under the radar with the likes of Vampire Weekend and Hot Chip getting considerable hype. It did get a respectable 7.7 from Pitchfork otherwise it seems rather quiet. The title seemed rather odd as it’s something I would say when I’m occasionally mumbling but the way Thao executes the same very lyrics in “Swimming Pools” with brilliance. I’m almost flabbergasted that she makes something that doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue sound so natural. Her voice is quite beautiful and it’s the type where I can fall asleep to like a baby. The album doesn’t have a specific theme and at times it feels rather random/obscure which I don’t mind at all, I didn’t fully see the interpretation that Pitchfork laid out but that’s what so great.
The album doesn’t necessarily demand your attention as it’s rather soft and mellowy but it will steal your heart if you let it.
This album is getting a 5 out of 5 from me. I strongly debated this as I feel the need to be more critical and not seen as some guy who gives a 5 for everything. This is my blog though so I’ll do as a please and I feel this album needs the recognition it deserves. I had a wonderful experience listening to this album the last few weeks and take my word for it that it’s absolutely flawless.
Beat (Health, Life and Fire) by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Geography by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Big Kid Table by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Get We Brave Bee Stings and All at Insound/CD Universe/Amazon
Like you I don’t really follow blog recommendations but I did just because I saw she was from DC and now I am glad I did. Something about DC makes people make good music.