Playful, despite the title, “Bag of Hammers” encapsulates the contradiction that is Thao. The music is upbeat but the words laced within it are fraught with less than peachy thoughts. “I am all in a ball in your front yard, I have this bag of hammers, and I won’t ask to come in cuz I have sold everything still I have I’ve got some manners.”
The way in which she delivers these sounds is inventive, as she is known for using a toothbrush or a pen to strum her acoustic. She’s drawing comparisons to Cat Power, but that’s probably just because most critics can’t think of too many other female musicians “worth noting”.
The new year will find Thao across Europe promoting her new album, “We Brave Bee Stings and All” with her band The Get Down Stay Down. Her debut on Kill Rock Stars, it will be available on January 29.
