I'm obsessing over this album. Yeasayer could have easily (not actually, though) followed the same formula as on the first album, and I would have loved it. Music critics show favor based on progression, and the men have created a new incarnation of their sound. Yeasayer could really blend any combination of genres, and it would work beautifully. This album is based on synthetic, electronic effects. And, as the New York Times pointed out inconceivably, there are love songs on this album. I would naturally take these two points done on a sophomore album as a selling out, but it's anything but. Apparently the men were recording in a Peter Gabriel bandmember's farm in Woodstock, with tons of crazy equipment to test out. I'm glad they did. There are some unexpected sounds that are so satisfying to hear. I'm really digging 'The Children', 'O.N.E.', and 'Love Me Girl'. Nothing is mediocre or bad on this album, I have to say. The layers and layers on these tracks will take many listens to appreciate fully. Can we talk about the crazy rhythms as well?! 'Strange Reunions' is exceptionally well-crafted in its meter shifts between 5/4 and 6/4. That shit must have taken HOURS to compose and practice to the perfection I saw in their amazing live album release show two nights ago. Yeasayer hasn't given up the elements that make them who we think they are. There are still the global music influences, the gorgeous vocals, and the extraordinary art direction. They're fucking great songwriters. There are definitely poppier, dancier tracks on this album that could make them break out like '1901' did to Phoenix. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the success :)
The men break it down themselves.
Seeing them live and listening to Odd Blood has inspired me to get back into my music, though that simply means practicing my carnatic vocal, yet they make me feel like I can do something further with it than what is traditional. aka this album is inspiring.
