- Record Label: Kill Rock Stars
- Release Date: Oct 13, 2009
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The production (a return engagement from Tucker Martine) remains relatively economical throughout, leaving plenty of room for Thao's distinctive warble/weep to unfold its tales of passion spent and soured.
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Their various styles are integrated and naturally came out of the way the Get Down Stay Down coalesced.
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Know Better Learn Faster mostly sounds like a young artist coming into her own--in music and life and love.
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Know Better Learn Faster is a more mature record, slightly disillusioned with the world, but no less playful and with no less personality.
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Know Better, Learn Faster is without a doubt one of the best indie folk-rock albums of the year.
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As a result, Know Better Learn Faster is (with the exception of the last track, an awkward dance number called "Easy") an album full of radio-ready singles, each as infectious and heartfelt as the last.
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Her lazily smoky voice has its bitterly harsh moments, but her coolly analytical self-awareness stings the most.
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Know Better Learn Faster successfully builds off the trio's 2008 debut We Brave Bee Stings And All, with Nguyen's smoky alto and bluesy guitar remaining front and center.
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On her sophomore KRS LP with the Get Down Stay Down, she sorts out emotional laundry via foot stomps and soul-searching.
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Pictured on the album’s cover taking aim at a heart-shaped pinata, Thao once again sings in a way that conveys both breathless astonishment and world-weary wisdom.