Thao & Mirah Eleven

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 2011

01 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour -- w/ Led to Sea

02 -- Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho -- w/ Led to Sea

03 -- Oakland, CA @ The New Parish -- w/ Led to Sea

05 -- Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore -- w/ Led to Sea

06 -- Bellingham, WA @ WWU -- w/ The New Pornographers

07 -- Seattle, WA @ Crocodile -- w/ Led to Sea

08 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom -- w/ Led to Sea

09 -- Olympia, WA @ Northern -- w/ Led to Sea

June 2011

02 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center -- w/ Led to Sea

03 -- Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle -- w/ Led to Sea

05 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace -- w/ Led to Sea

07 -- Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears -- w/ Led to Sea

09 -- Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church -- w/ Led to Sea

10 -- Washington, DC @ Black Cat -- w/ Led to Sea

11 -- Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

12 -- Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle

13 -- Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

15 -- St Louis, MO @ Off Broadway -- w/ Led to Sea

18 -- Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive

19 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

20 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room -- w/ Led to Sea

21 -- San Diego, CA @ Casbah -- w/ Led to Sea

23 -- San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall -- w/ Led to Sea