MIND INVERSION

It’s already been a year since the release of this album, but it’s still worthy of my short review here. It’s rare that a modern rock band can breakthrough into my collection so effortlessly, but with All Hour Cymbals Yeasayer did it. Yeasayer has put together an album of effortless ethereal, psychedelic experimental rock that pulls you in at every twist and turn.

“Sunrise” is a brilliant introduction to an album that is packed tightly with with airy Middle Eastern and African influenced joyous rock. At times, the chants that permeate many of the tracks on the album provide an other-worldly ritualistic quality that is hard to place; while it feels like you could use the word gospel to describe it, you don’t want to because it never feels preachy. At the same time, the calming choral vocals are well-balanced by Chris Keating’s somber straight-ahead delivery throughout the rest of the album. “2080” and “Red Cave”, for example, propel that album forward with a confident groove after dwelling in psychedelia and off-kilter rhythms on songs such as “Germs”, “No Need to Worry”, and “Wait for the Wintertime”.

All Hour Cymbals is densely layered with a variety of instrumentation both new and old that unexpectedly coalesce into a sound that is concurrently futuristic and rustic. On this album, Yeasayer has achieved a balance that beautifully flows between a variety styles and allows its listeners to fully experience each. Powered by a combination of ethereal harmonies, polyrhythmic drumming, smoky ambience, and doomy marches, All Hour Cymbals is a perfect introduction to Yeasayer. This album was a perfect complement to last winter, transitioned amazingly into summer listening, and looks like it will still stay a relevant part of my playlist through another winter. The future holds great promises for these guys.

7.5/10

For now though, get excited, because Yeasayer is coming through the midwest this month in support of the album! Keep reading for the dates…

10-22 Boston, MA – Paradise
10-24 Montreal, Quebec – Le National
10-25 Toronto, Ontario – Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
10-26 Ann Arbor, MI – The Blind Pig
10-28 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
10-29 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
10-30 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
10-31 Grinnell, IA – Grinnell College
11-19 Vancouver, British Columbia – Richard’s on Richards
11-20 Seattle, WA – Neumos
11-21 Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
11-22 San Francisco, CA – Bimbos 365 Club
11-23 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
11-25 La Jolla, CA – The Loft
11-26 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
11-28 Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House
11-29 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
12-03 Washington, DC – Sixth & I Synagogue
12-04 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
12-05 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
12-06 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 5:46 am and is filed under Music Reviews with tags tour dates, yeasayer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.