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.
Why Do We Dine on the Tots?
Tune-Yards Lyrics
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Why Must We Dine on the Tots?
Old grandfather Lou begged a question at supper as mother defrosted the meat from the tupperware dish with the red polka dots, "why must we dine on the tots?"
"Oh grandpa!", she said, with disparaging tone, "you've been spending too much of your dying alone time by reading those books having radical thoughts. (radical thoughts) Of course we must dine on the tots. What good were those kids before they were our food, outrageously smelly, impulsive and rude. Thus you know very well that the fresh produce rots. So clearly, we'll dine on the tots."
But before he could finish (but before he could finish), his daughter placed a fork to his lips and transformed by the taste he exclaimed, "Oh the flavor! How I savor it! How did we live before dining on tots! (tots tots tots)"
The lyrics to tUnE-yArDs' Why Do We Dine on the Tots? are a commentary on the societal norms that perpetuate certain behaviors and beliefs without questioning them. The song opens with Old Grandfather Lou asking why they have to eat the children ("tots") for dinner, and his daughter quickly dismissing him as being too radical with his thoughts. The daughter argues that the tots were smelly, impulsive, and rude before they were food, and that fresh produce rots so they have no other choice but to dine on the tots.
However, Grandfather Lou is not satisfied with this answer and questions the rationale behind eating their own children. He is worried about the future and what will become of their society if they continue down this path. The song ends with Grandfather Lou being silenced by the taste of the children's meat, indicating that even those who question societal norms can be silenced by their own desires.
The lyrics are a powerful commentary on societal norms and the ease with which individuals can be silenced or convinced to engage in behaviors that they may instinctively question. In this case, the song is pointing out the absurdity of a society that feeds on its own children as a normal practice. It highlights how individuals can become complicit in harmful behaviors and continue to perpetuate them without questioning the underlying reasons behind them.
Line by Line Meaning
There was one part on there where I didn't unmute the claps
I made a mistake and forgot to include the sound of claps in one part of the song.
Old grandfather Lou begged a question at supper as mother defrosted the meat from the tupperware dish with the red polka dots, "why must we dine on the tots?"
During dinner, Grandfather Lou questioned the reason why we eat tots, as Mother prepared the food.
"Oh grandpa!", she said, with disparaging tone, "you've been spending too much of your dying alone time by reading those books having radical thoughts. (radical thoughts) Of course we must dine on the tots. What good were those kids before they were our food, outrageously smelly, impulsive and rude. Thus you know very well that the fresh produce rots. So clearly, we'll dine on the tots."
Mother scolded Grandfather Lou, suggesting that he has become radical and must continue to eat tots because they are good for us, despite their previous unpleasant behavior and the rotting of fresh produce.
"I remember," said Lou, "when we all looked ahead. Your rationale's crummy. Who'll live when I'm dead? My nightmares these days ties my insides to knots. Oh, why do we feed on our tots?"
Grandfather Lou remembered a time when things were different and questioned the logic of eating tots, worrying about the future and the nightmares he has been having.
But before he could finish (but before he could finish), his daughter placed a fork to his lips and transformed by the taste he exclaimed, "Oh the flavor! How I savor it! How did we live before dining on tots! (tots tots tots)"
Before Grandfather Lou could finish speaking, his daughter interrupted him with a delicious forkful of tots, causing him to forget his worries and enjoy the taste of the food.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind