Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
Hammer
Tune-Yards Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer coming down
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer nail his own hand dow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-own
I am not the woman that you think I am
Oh, I swallow up a mountain and I'm quiet as a clam
Saturday and Sunday in the poison air
Oh, and every day I work I help to put the poison there, oh
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer coming down
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer nail his own hand down
I'll tell you 'bout the lie that broke our teeny little town down
I'll tell you 'bout the bodies down below the battleground
Rented an apartment in the shadow of a house
Oh, cruel is just the rule when the cat has got a mouse, oh
Froggy went a courtin' and he did ride
Never left his home without a pistol by his side
He lied, it was a fantasy life
He knew he'd have to kill to keep me as his wife
Lullaby to sleep in a self-made sound
Living in a dream while the whole world drowns
Lullaby to sleep in a man-made high
Living in a dream while the whole world cries
And he won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer coming down
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
He won't get off my back
Doesn't see the hammer nail his own hand dow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-own
He won't get off my back
The person in question is persistent and unwilling to let go
Doesn't see the hammer coming down
This individual is unaware of the repercussions of their behavior
I am not the woman that you think I am
The singer is not what they appear to be based on the other person's perception
Oh, I swallow up a mountain and I'm quiet as a clam
Despite being able to consume large amounts, the artist remains silent
Saturday and Sunday in the poison air
The days of the week spent working in a toxic environment
Oh, and every day I work I help to put the poison there, oh
The singer is contributing to the creation of the toxic environment through their work
Doesn't see the hammer nail his own hand dow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-own
The person in question is oblivious to their own actions leading to self-destruction
I'll tell you 'bout the lie that broke our teeny little town down
The artist will explain the falsehood that ruined the small community
I'll tell you 'bout the bodies down below the battleground
The artist will reveal the casualties that occurred beneath the surface during the conflict
Rented an apartment in the shadow of a house
Moved into a residence near, but not within, the primary building
Oh, cruel is just the rule when the cat has got a mouse, oh
The strong overpowering the weak is considered the norm
Froggy went a courtin' and he did ride
A reference to the classic folk tune 'Frog Went A-Courtin'
Never left his home without a pistol by his side
The character of Froggy is depicted as heavily armed at all times
He lied, it was a fantasy life
The previous statements regarding Froggy were fabricated
He knew he'd have to kill to keep me as his wife
Froggy was willing to murder to maintain his relationship
Lullaby to sleep in a self-made sound
Using self-created music to soothe oneself to sleep
Living in a dream while the whole world drowns
The artist is living in a state of blissful ignorance while the world around them falls apart
Lullaby to sleep in a man-made high
Using artificial means, such as drugs, to fall asleep
Living in a dream while the whole world cries
The singer remains ignorant to the pain of others while they remain in their own euphoria
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Garbus, Nate Brenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind