A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
|
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Release Date: 09/13/05 Score: 9.2 out of 10.0 |
 |
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s self-titled debut is the product of writing some fine songs and finding the right people to take notice through self-promotion. You have to respect that, right? They didn’t find it necessary to indulge in the media whoring that is second nature to bands today. Though while this is admirable, what really holds importance is the music; but fear not, because it can definitely hold its own.
CYHSY is a five-piece band from Brooklyn, and they sure can make some groovin’ tunes. After the jarring, somewhat irksome opener, “Clap Your Hands!”(reiterating now with song title, their favorite kinetic movement), we make it past the bizarre carousal, and are quickly introduced to Alec Ounsworth’s strangely unique vocals. I’ll be the first to say that its affectedness takes some getting used to, and it may garner two or even ten listens before it starts to grow on you, but I can almost guarantee that it will; soon thereafter you will discover an album full of melodious guitar-pop delights.
They establish their danceable rhythms and song structure early on with the tambourine shakes and fun bass line of “Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away,” and continue the liveliness with “Over and Over Again (Lost and Found);” a synthy, sweet-sounding little number that could easily pass for one of those 80’s Brat Pack movie anthems. The record is full of brilliant instrumentation, and the high point comes halfway through with “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth.” The drums gallop while stringing along light synth pieces, with additions of guitar twang riffs and a swirling bass line, not to mention Ounsworth hitting this radical high note mid-song; his voice sliding across blaring surges and swells.
In between these boisterous rock segments there are a couple of instrumental tunes that compliment their partners quite well. “Sunshine and Clouds (And Everything Proud)” makes effective use of the toy piano, sounding more like it could stem from a Dresden Dolls album, flowing nicely into the lyrical harmonies and harmonica bits of “Details of War.” “Blue Turning Gray” carries its melody with soft acoustics and a weightless flute line.
Reaching for similarities, indie rock swashbucklers have said CYHSY’s sound is along the lines of Talking Heads or Neutral Milk Hotel. Although Ounsworth sounds like he hijacked David Byrne’s voice box at times, I would have to agree more with the latter, mainly because the music of CYHSY doesn’t have that glossy appeal that the Talking Heads once possessed. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has more tension and rigidity in their arrangements, much like the Arcade Fire, but a little merrier. It’s something fresh and entertaining if you give it the chance to settle in…
-Marissa Logue
November 9, 2005
