[CD Reviews]

YEASAYER

Odd Blood

By CANDANCE MCDUFFIE

GENRE | GROOVY EXPERIMENTAL ROCK
VERDICT | UPGRADE
RELEASE | 2.9.10
LABEL | SECRETLY CANADIAN
YEASAYER.NET

 

Praised for their ambient psychedelic sound, Yeasayer are exploring new territory on their sophomore record, Odd Blood. The perfect first single, "Ambling Alp," is a beautiful ode to the proverbial turning over of new leaves, consisting of catchier rhythms and sweeter harmonies while still employing instruments like synthesizers to tug at our heartstrings. While All Hour Cymbals was well received for its '60s throwback feel, the boys respectably gave up the notion of riding the coattails of the first album and gave us something refreshing and thought provoking. The juxtaposition of songs like "Madder Red" and "I Remember" are key to Odd Blood's success. While the former is pretty straightforward and inviting, with clean melodies and distillation of pop to its purest form, the latter intrigues us with its arcade sound effects and haunting vocals that would make Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart proud. What we got here is an album that is a huge step forward in musical growth for Yeasayer, which true fans will appreciate, or at least buy.

 

BUY IT!