As Virgina native, Thao Nguyen’s “Bag of Hammers” opens, there’s all these bright, twinkling guitar tones, and her cheery, innocent voice borders on naive. It may invite relaxing scenes of mixed drinks with tiny umbrellas and sunsets on the beach, but in reality, they’re hiding some hefty emotions. It’s the end of the relationship and all she’s left with is a bag of hammers. Note, she isn’t left with ruined memories, torn up pictures, and she isn’t living out of her car. Thao is the type of woman who can make do on her own, and with that bag of hammers in hand, there’s the hint that she’s more than capable of exacting a fair price for being wronged. Is she going to start swinging, or has she come to patch things up. I don’t know the answer to that one, but I can tell you that any gal who shows up with a bag of hammers, and who can play the guitar like Thao, certainly has my respect.
Thao – Bag of Hammers
We Brave Bee Stings and All by Thao with The Stay Down Get Down is due out January 29th on Kill Rock Stars.
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