Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

Add Date: October 13

Artist: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

Album: Know Better Learn Faster

Label: Kill Rock Stars

Genre: Rock, folk-rock

Comments: Thao says, "This album is named Know Better Learn Faster because you can't. By the time you realize you should, it's too late. And I enjoy the predicament and the totally devastating, unfunny humor of that."

She certainly does. Lest her futile tone fool you, this, her group's second full-length record following last year's phenomenal We Brave Be Stings And All. Thao's songs are a nice blend of the silly and serious on this record too, which is just as bouncy as its predeccesor. And even though Thao's name is at the front of the band and her biting little-girl vocals puncture these tunes, don't rule out the top-notch musicianship of the Get Down Stay Down. Andrew Bird, Laura Veirs, Jenny Conlee of the Decemberists, and Eric Barley of Blitzen Trapper all appear here too. I saw Thao live once and the woman isn't afraid to jump around, even with an acoustic guitar slung around her. A great record.

Start off with tracks 2, 4, and 11.