"Water Fountain"- tUne-yArDs

Even now, I can't be the only one that still has problems typing Merrill Garbus' tUnE-yArDs project the right way. I know there's a certain rhythm to it that makes easier to write, but I haven't hit it. In typing that opening sentence, I had to backspace at least three times to make sure I had the proper capitalization. It's not so much a tiring exercise, as it is a frustrating one. And when I'm done, all I have is a band name to show for my endeavor.

Granted, if Garbus continues to make tracks like Nikki Nack first single "Water Fountain", I will gladly accept any frustration that will come with a write-up. Right away stuttering hand claps and clanging drums catch you up in an infectious pop rally. The sort where people gather together and march simply because it's a nice day outside. The chant of "nothing much to do when you're going nowhere, WOOHA WOOHA," that constitutes the chorus is equally indelible, splitting the difference between the Dixie Cups' "Iko Iko" and Busta Rhymes most well-known effort. Early on, Garbus counteracts the sunny communal vibe with the pessimistic realization "nothing feels like dying like the drying of my skin." Along with that withering, comes a loss of feeling. A growing numbness that acts as a shield of armor in a world looking to inflict pain. Soon enough though she sheds the dead skin to disperse the pennies she's saved up and splits a two-pound chicken with friends. Who cares if the well's run dry? That concern can wait for another day.

Nikki Nack is out 5/6 via 4AD and Garbus will go on a North American tour for the LP starting April 23 in Denver.

Tour Dates:

4/23 Denver, CO- Pepsi Center
4/26 Kansas City, MO- Starlight Theatre

4/27 St. Louis, MO- Chaifetz Arena
4/29 Columbus, OH-Schottenstein Center
5/1 Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena
5/2 Atlanta, GA- Aarons Amphiteatre at Lakewood
5/5 Los Angeles, CA- Mason Lodge at Hollywood Forever
5/7 Brooklyn, NY- Rough Trade
5/23 Bend, OR- Les Schwab Amphitheater
5/25 George, WA- Sasquatch Festival
5/26 Boise, ID- Knitting Factory Concert House
5/27 Salt Lake City, UT- Urban Lounge
5/30 Dallas, TX- Granada Theater
6/1 Houston, TX- Free Press Summer Fest
6/3 Phoenix, AZ- Crescent Ballroom
6/5 Los Angeles, CA- The Fonda Theatre
6/6 San Francisco, CA- The Fillmore
6/13 Washington, DC- 9:30 Club
6/15 Philadelphia, PA- Union Transfer
6/16 Boston, MA- Royale Boston
6/18 Montreal, QC- La Tulipe
6/19 Toronto, ON- Massey Hall
6/21 Dover, DE- Firefly Music Festival
6/22-23 New York, NY- Webster Hall
7/17 Minneapolis, MN- First Avenue
7/19 Chicago, IL- Pitchfork Music Festival
7/20 Louisville, KY- Forecastle Festival