Merill Garbus has only gone and taken all the originality, invention and energy from ‘BiRd BrAInS’, her 2009 debut, cleaned it up, multiplied it by several hundred and released it as one of the albums of 2011. What can Bowlegs say about a record that jumps with Afro-rhythmic passion, flips back and forth with screeching and pounding originality and boasts a ukulele which is as versatile as the girl that strums it?

Garbus’ vocal ability is astounding throughout the set. From shredding her tonsils to swooning with soul, she will take the track and make it hers every damn time. As the beats hop and hip in ‘Gangsta’, stopping and starting with industrial distortion in tow, Garbus does some fast-talking, high and low. And as the tapping, yelping and brass-championing single ‘Bizness’ closes, so the soft, off-beating rolls of the gorgeous ‘Doorstep’ begin. The funky swing and strum of ‘ES-SO’ takes a jolting rhythm and soft-spoken refrain and lets it hop across the staccato ground.

The New England musician messes with loops and structure, building and overlapping, creating a potent backdrop to spin her vocals. With bass player Nate Brenner filling out the sound, ‘Whokill’ has a natural spontaneity while holding tight to melody and hooks.

On a quiet day in the office, the album’s relentless barrage of beats, rhythm and mixed up sounds might be a little much. But then again Bowlegs is pretty sure Merrill wasn’t sound-tracking a day at your desk. This is more like a carnival weekend or all-nighter, flaunting enough attitude and energy for every one of us. We’ll have what she’s having please. WB