Yeasayer, Four Tet, Los Campesinos (& Sam Cooke)

Anyone following music over the past three years will undoubtedly have stumbled upon Brooklyn-based Yeasayer. You may not know it, but you did. Their stupidly catchy single "2080" from their debut album, All Hour Cymbals, was nearly ubiquitous in 2007. It was reviewed on music sites, played on the radio, and included in KEXP's annual independent music compilation disc. And while I loved the song and felt the attention it received was well-deserved, I was a bit indifferent about the rest of the album. I'm not even sure I ever listened to the whole album in one sitting, actually. When I heard the band was releasing a new album, I knew it would make or break me as a fan. Well, it would seem the band was so concerned about hooking me as a fan, they spent extra time on the album and made it super kick-ass. They were like, "Shit, man, we better make this a really kick-ass album so we can make a fan out of that Tony kid and secure a positive review on his much-trafficed blog."

Right.

The band's sophomore album, Odd Blood, is a work of schizophrenic Talking-Headseque beauty. I've reviewed it briefly, below, along with three additional albums I've been listening to.

Artist: Yeasayer

Album: Odd Blood

Click here to listen

If you're not immediately addicted to the track "Ambling Alp," there is something seriously wrong with you. The album finds the band really coming into their own both musically and, I think, lyrically. I hadn't realized that the band had previously garnered Talking Heads comparisons, but there are definitely a few tracks ("Rome," in particular) in which the vocals and arrangements are unmistakably influenced by the Talking Heads. "I Remember" is the most precious track on the album, but it's slowed down, falsettoed vocals and shimmery 80's synth makes it a pretty awesome ballad. Enjoy!

Artist: Four Tet

Album: There Is Love In You (2010), Pause (2001)

Click here to listen

Anyone who has ever listened to NPR knows Four Tet. They use one of Four Tet's songs, "Everything Will Be Alright," to cue transitions between stories. It's awesome, beat driven, noodling guitar ecstasy. My roommate had been chiding me for not listening to the album, Pause, that contains the catchy track. In fact, it has been sitting in my iTunes library for well over four months, collecting digital dust and nagging at my subconscious. The album came out in 2001, and I absolutely recommend listening to it before you listen to the new album, There Is Love In You. The difference between the two is immediately apparent. Pause is an exercise in super chill guitar work melded seamlessly with beats and, at times, organic sounds. It's extremely pleasing and easy to listen to in your living room. There Is Love In You, on the other hand, seems to call more often for a dance floor--though I'm not sure I would call it a dance record. It's still extremely chill, but there's something a bit more trance/house-ish about the album.

Until today I was not aware that Four Tet is really a moniker for London-born Kieran Hebden. And, like most awesome artists I've reviewed lately, Hebden has found himself a happy home at Domino Records. I wish I could just "subscribe" to Domino and receive all their vinyl releases in the mail. I know I've said it before, but you should check out their website and start listening to the artists they've signed. I think it was my buddy Jordan who originally pointed out Domino's genius. Thanks, Jordan!

Artist: Los Campesinos

Album: Romance Is Boring

click here to listen

This seven-piece indie band formed in Wales in 2006, though not one of its seven members is Welsh (Thanks Wikipedia!). I had never listened to any of the band's music before throwing on Romance Is Boring, and I'm pretty impressed. This is a more raucous affair that either of the two albums I've already discussed, but not in any kind of jarring or grating way. There's something about LC's style that reminds me of The Fiery Furnaces, ala their Blueberry Boat double LP (but let's just be clear that Blueberry Boat was an epic, double disc affair boasting tracks in excess of 10 minutes--the longest track on Los Campesino's album is 4:42). Nonetheless, the similarity is there, if not in certain vocal annunciations, then certainly in some of the more challenging musical moments of the album. "In Medias Res" is one of my favorite tracks because it allows itself to downshift and return. To be honest, I've only listened to the album twice, and I need to apply the proper headphone, bedtime scrutiny to which I subject all albums I love. Either way, this seven-piece does an excellent job of merging their disparate talents into an album that's fun, rocking, and at times orchestral. Enjoy.

Update: After a buddy told me I should check out Los Campesinos'! previous two albums, I took the time to track them down and give them a list. You should definitely check them out. As my friend said (who, I believe, also has a blog for which I will post a link once I get it from him again), the previous two albums saw the band at a more playful, more spastic place of creative outlet. Both albums were released in 2008. They are titled:

1. Hold On Now, Youngster...

2. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed

Artist: Sam Cooke

Album: Live at The Harlem Square Club

After listening to Portrait of a Legend nearly every day for almost 4 months, I finally stumbled upon the genius idea of getting some live Sam Cooke (I'm a bit slow). You NEED to hear this album. I am more and more convinced that he is the best soul singer of all time, and his performance at the Harlem Square Club does nothing but help to corroborate that belief. Particularly, his versions of "Bring It On Home" and "Nothing Can Change This Love" are mind blowing. His voice is raw during this performance in a way it's silken on other recordings I've heard--I wish I was alive when this was performed.