When two solo artists come together for an album, the result usually falls short of the lofty artistic goals they strive for, but Thao and Mirah, a joint effort from Thao Nguyen, founder of San Francisco alt-folk group Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, and singer-songwriter Mirah is the rare collaboration that truly impresses. The synthesis between the two women’s styles is remarkable, with each track exploring new layers of unity as the vocally-driven artists push each other to greater and greater heights.
They reach the pinnacle of their achievement on the album’s first track, misleadingly named “Eleven.” Merrill Garbus, who co-produced the album, provides the gut-pulling style that she features in her own music with tUnE-YaRdS and juxtaposes it brilliantly with the more heartfelt, melodic stylings of the two singers. But on subsequent tracks, the two women focus on their stronger side: sweet folksy music. Think the Dixie Chicks with less twang and more flavor, or the Indigo Girls with more flair for experimentation.
“Likable Man,” the album’s third to last cut, explores some of the same methods used in the controlled dissonance of “Eleven.” With dulcet vocals in the front, the percussion draws the listener in by jarring just a slight count off the melody, while the horns act as if they are accompanying an entirely different album. Tracks like these might be hard to stomach for those unaccustomed to harmonic dissonance, but the duo’s willingness to cross the boundaries of traditional female pop vocalism and experimental rock will satisfy more adventurous listeners.
In the final song, “Squareneck,” the musicians’ chemistry comes full circle. The track is a pure, raw song that sounds like the pair just brought a couple of percussion instruments into a barn and pushed the record button. Keeping this rustic feel from start to finish, the artists’ enjoyment shines through like rays of sunshine beaming from the giggling Teletubbies baby. Don’t believe me? Just try listening to the buoyant Thao and Mirah without slipping a smile.
Voice’s Choices: “Eleven,” “Sugar and Plastic,” “Squareneck”
