Artist of the Day: Yeasayer

I'll give it a shot of trying to keep this segment updated semi-regularly...but no promises.

I went to see Yeasayer last night at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite concert venues in the city. The people who work there are always a pleasure, and the acoustics are unrivaled by any other spot in Washington DC proper. But I'm not doing concert reviews here...at least not yet.

Yeasayer is an odd band, and I'm certainly a bit behind the times in writing about them. They're probably destined to remain a niche group with a niche audience. But that doesn't change the fact that they're well worth checking out if you're open to something that sounds...well...like nothing else. Their debut album - All Hour Cymbals - is chock full of masterful musicianship, odd vocal samples, and insane, incredible beats that would appeal to hip hop heads as readily as indie rock kids. And they can bring it live - vocals were dead on, harmonies were interesting and beautiful, and their technical ability as musicians is mind blowing. I challenge you to find a bass player that executes live the way that Ira Wolf Tuton does.

Sometimes I find the best music is the most difficult to describe, because it is doing something that is foreign and challenging to the listener. The album as a whole isn't completely consistent - but there are certain highlights, some of which I've posted here. There are elements of world music here, electronic music, psychedelic and folk music...but it works as a glorious mess of sound and style. I'm not sure where they'll end up going with it, but I remain impressed - and I would see them again. Check 'em out.


Sunrise - Yeasayer



For fans of: Animal Collective, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, Kanye West, Santogold, M.I.A.