Odd Blood by Yeasayer
LABEL: Secretly Canadian

Like a hot girl (or guy) with half a brain, Yeasayer is one of those bands with faults you just overlook. In the same way that knowing the capital of Kentucky is nonessential when that body is bangin’, tracks seven and eight might not need to be total standouts when the first two singles are epic. 

To earn such a pass is maybe not fair in the hypercritical world of music, but for some reason this Brooklyn trio has been able to apply enough raw innovation to their first two albums that even when they falter, the effort was—at the very least—interesting. Though they may not fire on all cylinders all the time, they’re almost always creative enough to be worth the effort and a few iTunes credits. 

The band’s critically heralded debut, All Hour Cymbals, was, in the band’s own words, an exercise in “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel” (seriously?). And although the album produced a handful of really successful tracks (and conversely, multiple bombs), the band has, on their latest effort, Odd Blood, moved away from this sound and embraced a far more pop-savvy mindset. 

“From start to finish, it’s straight feathered bangs, raw synth beats, high cut bikinis, electronic sax, an abundance of the color aqua and really, really good vibes.”

From the opening notes of the album’s first track, “The Children,” it’s pretty clear the guys of Yeasayer are in no way interested in making derivative, cookie cutter tunes (and also that their brains are steeped in a life sentence worth of narcotics). Like a chopped and screwed hipster anthem, the track’s lyrics are slowed to a geriatric pace and bathed in a synthetic coating of fuzzy autotune. Though it may sound a touch gimmicky, it’s actually a delightfully unexpected way of kicking things off a very highly anticipated sophomore disc. 

The general theory about any successful album would be that it should, by definition, sound like a cohesive collection of tracks that relate and deliver a consistent vibe throughout. Yeasayer, to their own benefit, have used Odd Blood to give that concept a fully extended musical middle finger. Case in point, the album’s first single “Ambling Alp.”

Imagine for a moment, if you will, the general aesthetic of the seminal ’80s film Weekend At Bernie’s.  “Ambling Alp” could have very easily run during its credits. Given the film’s 1989 release date, that should shed some light on the somewhat throwback vibe Yeasayer decided to employ here. From start to finish, it’s straight feathered bangs, raw synth beats, high cut bikinis, electronic sax, an abundance of the color aqua and really, really good vibes.  If the album has one bona fide banger, it’s right here.  

Further into the album, hints of 2007 era Yeasayer do bubble to the surface. “Madder Red” carries the well-worn hippie dippy flag but goes a step further by thoughtfully merging Simon and Garfunkel harmony with vintage Depeche Mode sonics.

“Ultimately, however, it’s the commitment to innovation and new musical ideas that will see Yeasayer through a healthy, multi-album indie career.”

Although the creativity is appreciated, when the band strikes out on Odd Blood, it’s because they pushed the envelope just a bit too far. The silly vocals and synth noodling of “Rome” and the Kenna channeling “Love Me Girl” are both minor league projects that shouldn’t have ever seen a shot in the big leagues. 

Ultimately, however, it’s the commitment to innovation and new musical ideas that will see Yeasayer through a healthy, multi-album indie career.  For every hit, there’s a half-baked hypothesis that never quite takes flight, but if you choose to ride out the trial and error, there’s nary a dull moment. 


REVIEWED BY ALEC BRINEGAR
ALEC'S FAVORITE TRACKS: “O.N.E” • “Ambling Alp” • “I Remember”


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