the Informer

With a MySpace that describes their music as both “Gospel” and “Showtunes,” Yeasayer released their second studio album, “Odd Blood” last week. The Brooklyn-based group unleashed its experimental sound on audiences with their debut album, “All Hour Cymbals” in 2007.
The album is an eclectic mixture of tribal beats, folk melodies and electronic swagger tightly packaged in psychedelic-throwback fashion. With “Odd Blood,” which hit stores on Feb. 9, Yeasayer further expands their musical vocabulary while maintaining their classic experimental edge.

“Odd Blood” certainly explores a more intense, electronically-influenced sound than “All Hour Cymbals.” The album’s first single “Ambling Alp” is an upbeat, arty-pop tune that revels in the glory of techno harmonies.

Contagious percussion that’s oddly-reminiscent of an ‘80s pop song, is punctuated by empowering lyrics like “Now, the world can be an unfair place at times, but your lows will have their complement of highs” and “You must stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else done.”

The first track off of the album, “The Children,” opens with an eerie, mechanical noise. With a bass line that follows the dark beats, the song is chilling even before a grossly-distorted voice begins groaning unintelligible lyrics.

More droning machinery and a haunting piano melody propel “The Children” into the rather-enjoyable depths of “weird.”

“Madder Red” showcases the band’s skillful-executed marriage of experimental electronic sound and psychedelic mood. With free flowing melodies and synthesized percussion, the song is at once involved and relaxing. “Madder Red” supports the band’s description of their music as “visual.” This rather-contradictory statement has a way of making sense when listening to Yeasayer.

In quintessential psychedelic fashion, songs like “Madder Red” lead the listener to almost “see” the dynamic musical texture of each verse. Certainly it doesn’t hurt that Yeasayer has been known to project trippy visuals during live shows.

Further down the album’s track list, one encounters “Love Me Girl.” A funky beat with an almost samba-esque feel that ushers the song into a synth-happy dance jam.

Early ‘90s techno piano riffs and sampled loops underscore outlandish bird noises and crooning vocals in this unconventional love song.
Following “Love Me Girl” is the song “Rome.” For every sweetly-romantic sentiment in the former, the latter has a bitter, devious retaliation. “Rome” begins with slightly-muted drum thumps and synthesized riffs.

The songs verses read like a warning of heinous deeds “… I’m a bad brained gravel gone fiend with no time at all… When I deposit your body in the gulf coast, darlin’, tomorrow.”

These somewhat-psychotic lyrics are delivered with the musical framework of what feels like it could be the soundtrack to murder mystery dinner theater in outer space.

When looking at the cover art of Yeasayer, the listener can be sure that this band is all about the experimental art of their music.
Yeasayer gives audiences art-infused sounds that feel tangible enough to experience with all five senses. “Odd Blood” is a must-have for anyone of musically-adventurous taste.