Yeasayer’s second album, the follow up to 2007’s ‘All Hour Cymbals’ sees them move in a different, more electronic direction.
The first track ’The Children’ is a startling opener revolving around layered, industrial percussion and heavily effected vocals running through what sounds like a pitch shifter. From the second track (lead single ‘Ambling Alp’) onwards, however the album is full of catchy pop hooks, psychedelic electronics and lashings of reverb whilst still retaining an experimental edge.
Epic, and at times contorted synthesisers dominate the album and recall electronic bands of the 80s such as Erasure and Depeche Mode, particularly in ‘O.N.E.’ and ‘Madder Red’, the latter of which contains a heavily distorted guitar solo, totally uncharacteristic of Yeasayer. Rhythm also plays a big part in the feel of the album and the African percussion that defined their debut is still present in parts, but in a more subtle manner.
Despite the contrast in style of many of the tracks, Odd Blood does not in any way seem like a mismatch or a random bunch of songs. Quite the contrary in fact. The songs do all fit together, complement each other and with some of the tracks leading straight into each other, make Odd Blood feel very much like a complete album and at times an outstanding work of art.
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