An experimental/folksy band from Brooklyn? Nowadays, experimental/folksy bands have saturated the music market and a few years back when Yeasayer released their debut, they were at the forefront (and it peaked last year thanks to the overrated Animal Collective). Now, three years later, the boys of Yeasayer have followed up their excellent All Hour Cymbals with something completely different. Instead of the world music rhythms that dominated that album, Odd Blood sounds as though it were produced in the 80s thanks to all the big drum beats that create the backbone to the majority of this release ("Strange Reunions" sounds like an outtake from three-years-ago-Yeasayer). Also gone are the sitars, chimes, and choral harmonies; replaced by coherent (and somewhat uplifting) lyrics. The album's first single "Ambling Alp" exemplifies perfectly the style of Odd Blood as a big, danceable beat drives the track as synths flow in and out, meanwhile, lead singer Chris Keating urges you to "stick up for yourself, son." Now that this new Yeasayer has been desribed, what is to be thought of it? Well, it is a great album from an obviously great band (who did, sorry to say, let all the critical acclaim go to their head which allowed something like this to be created) that can adapt itself to genres while still crafting excellent songs. Although the album starts off badly (on the confusing auto-tune drenched "The Children"), things rebound immediately thanks to the superb "Ambling Alp" and cruise for the course of the nine remaining songs (with highlights including the reggae-ish "O.N.E." (amazing track, actually) as well as the handclapper "Mondegreen"). Those expecting ten more songs of rhythmic chaos ala All Hour Cymbals might be dissapointed but for those with open musical minds (like these boys themselves) will find Odd Blood a great listen.
4.0/5.0
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