Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - "Know Better Learn Faster"

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down return with their second Kill Rock Stars released album Know Better Learn Faster, out today. Last year brought a critically acclaimed debut and constant touring that allowed the band to hone in on their sound for the new record, which is more mature and focused but still as quirky, emotional and catchy as ever.

The aptly titled, “The Clap” opens the album with a short, hand-clapping foot-stomping sing along that is as catchy as the disease itself. “Cool Yourself” showcases Thao’s bluesy, tight-throated vocals that recall Chan Marshall’s, along with horns, jangly guitars and saloon-style piano that is the audible equivalent to the party on the album’s cover. “When We Swam” features plinking guitars with a staccato vocal melody and girl group background vocals and hand-claps for an incredibly catchy and danceable track. The title track, “Know Better Learn Faster” slows down the pace with weeping violins and an aching vocal dripping in regret and redemption. Standout track, “Body” and the diverse instrumentation, including rafters-reaching horns and winding guitars, is anchored by one of the catchiest choruses you will hear this year. “Good Bye Good Luck” with its yelping gang vocals, crashing cymbals and country-fried guitar fills are fit with a rumbling drum beat. The upbeat “Fixed It!” features more hand claps (and that’s a good thing), doubled tracked vocals and playful organ over a shuffling beat. Album closer, “Easy” announces that “Sad people dance, too” before launching into a looping, rhythmic guitar line with an electronic beat and catchy chorus of “Make it easy peasy…”. The song sums up Thao’s skill of bringing melody and a lightness to melancholic subject matter.

With great guests musicians on the album like, Andrew Bird, Laura Veirs, Horse Feathers and Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists, Thao could easily be over-shadowed but with the new album, Know Better Learn Faster, she proves she deserves to be at the top.

Download the title track, "Know Better Learn Faster" here: http://loudfeed.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/19744/04_Know_Better_Learn_Faster.mp3

For more info click here: http://thaomusic.com/ and www.killrockstars.com