- 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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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.
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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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While Nguyen continues to write upbeat songs about passion gone awry and her band continues to do its part in complementing them, Know Better Learn Faster just doesn’t quite reach the bar she set for herself last time out.
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UncutThe scuzzy arrangements ate trickier and less cute, while the lyrics fester with hard experience. [Feb 2010, p.104]
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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.