This is the most independent project ever! Ergo, whether you are too cool for mainstream or crazy enthusiast or you love magnificent alt guitars, then A Man Alive is the record for you. Thao with the bass, a little bit of piano and post-punk beats on a drum (so, minimal support by a band) accomplishes incredible richness of sound. Paradise-like indie rock! I haven’t heard such a good indie rock since, like, forever! It is so good it makes me sound like a teenager now.
Every melody is seductive, whether it is a pulsating bass and vocal or guitar riff. The saturation of sound comes from the singer’s obsessive compulsion disorder, but not in a manner of wanting every little thing to be in its right place, rather just wanting every spot to be filled. Compulsion and insufficiently sublimed neuroticism reach its pinnacle in the second half of the album, bringing a thrilling twist. On few songs, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down make such a refined and noble dignity they almost sound like The Arcade Fire in their best days.
Good portion of credits for an amazing production belongs to her friend, Merril Garbus from tune-yards. Nonetheless, the record wouldn’t be the same without Thao.
Although the album’s theme is spiraling around Thao’s relationship with her father and the consequences the relationship left on her personality and life experience, her cocky humor and undeniable talent extenuate the obsessive moments. They don’t sound like a burden, neither to her nor to listener. Don’t get me wrong, her pain should not be ignored. The deep cuts reflect best in lines Oh, daddy, I broke in a million pieces, That makes you a millionaire.
Long story short: Daddy issues revisited.
