Note: This is the third album from sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady (aka CocoRosie).
Sound: A bizarre and utterly original mixed bag where verses can be rap/sung in either a playful, delicate, achy or militant tone, then progress into haunting and operatic crooning by the break or chorus. The vocals often take on accented, pixie-like qualities (think somewhere between Bjork and Joanna Newsom) as the adventures take you from savage and sprightly to forlorn and woozy. Plus, CocoRosie keeps your head spinning by throwing an endless array of noises at you (nature sounds, toy-like sound effects, turntable scratches, shimmering synths), while showing that both a harp and a synthetic bagpipe sound can provide the melody over a hip hop beat.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Rainbowarriors”; “Japan”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Raphael”; “Werewolf”; “Promise”
Recommended: CocoRosie continue to push music in striking new directions. This time, though, they’ve actually made a pretty focused and robust album. For my money, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn is the most exciting thing they’ve done.
Grade: B+

Download/Stream “Rainbowarriors” MP3

Listen to Tracks/Buy Music:
On iTunes
On barnesandnoble.com