New Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp"
The chanted, harmonious Brooklyn-via-Baltimore psychedelic-pop troupe told Jessica in a Progress Report that they were, essentially, trying to "make you feel inadequate, like you're not cool enough to be listening to [this] music." Tough to say where their tongues and cheeks are with that bit, but after hearing "Ambling Alp" you could say that recipe has netted something quite the opposite: The track chirps and fuzzes in uplifting polyrhythm, segues into left-field electronica blips, flips into harmonies and horn arrangements, but is as inviting and sunny a piece of weirdo-pop as they've produced yet.
Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp" (MP3)
"Ambling Alp" is the first single from Odd Blood, the band's 2nd LP, due 2/9 via Secretly Canadian. The single bundle (digital and 12") is available at yeasayer.net with mixes by Memory Tapes and DJ /rupture. And if you're in NYC tonight, come out to the Guggenheim, where the band will be playing new material set to a light show. You'll also get to see Tanlines, the Kandinsky exhibit, with the very funny Max Silvestri as your host. Here's the info.
Posted at 11:08 AM by amrit in MP3
Tags: Yeasayer
This tune sounds great... Loved All Hour Cymbals and can't WAIT for this album to come out. They sound kind of like a poor man's animal collective to my ears.
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I wouldn't say a poor man's Animal Collective. Obviously you haven't heard Strawberry Jam, Feels, Sung Tongs, Here Comes the Indian etc. MAYBE, you could justify saying sounds like a poor man's MPP
Anyway, sounds this sounds fantastic, loved it live and love the studio version too.
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Haha, actually yeah I have heard those albums. Poor choice of words on my part I guess. I guess I meant they sound similar but maybe more accessible.
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Little known fact, but the core members of Animal Collective and Yeasayer went to the same high school in Baltimore. I'm not sure how much that plays into any similarity in their sound.
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This band is on its way to a lot of > signs.
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that's it, now i know 'tightrope' was just a fluke. nothing's been as good before or after
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2080, c'mon!
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That song will have over 50 plays on my computer before the album comes out.
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How long do we have to wait for the Michael McDonald version?
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yeasayer dominates all this lo-fi shit! thank you stereogum for finally reporting on some quality music
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Amen Amen Amen. Why is lo-fi music good? it's a one trick pony that only a few acts can pull off. Thank God for bands like yeasayer who remind us that music can actually be dynamic sometimes.
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quality, no doubt. But I would say this sound has a big departure from "lo-fi" you agree?
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poor man's animal collective, ha
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I didn't mean that in a bad way, just that there are some similarities. I actually like Yeasayer a lot more than Animal Collective.
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it's a good thing I'm poor then!
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this is great. i played it three times in a row first time i heard it. we're getting spoilt with good music at the moment.
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This makes me happy!
I remember them playing it at Chelsea Piers back in August.
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YAY!!! This band is just getting started. Can't wait for the album. Yes odd blood.
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SO GOOD.
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Are you sure they're originally from Bmore? GREAT song though.
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1. this isn't "lo-fi". the fidelity is actually quite high.
2. if you think this sounds like AC, it's probably because these are two bands that would sample the sound of something splashing in water...which a ton of other people have done anyway. this song is musically nothing like most of AC...so branch out more. the Baltimore/Brooklyn thing may have thrown you in that direction, as well. it likely helped make blogs like this think they're cool.
3. this isn't that "weird." it's a catchy pop song that could've come from a Nickelodeon cartoon. nothing wrong with that, though...it's a fun song.
4.i like numbering things.
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disregard #1, i think i misunderstood what the other "lo-fi" comments were saying.
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Wow, numbering your replies is cool, are you on a debate team or something? Just because the singer from Yeasayer doesn't sound like Avey Tare doesn't mean that there are no similarities between the 2 bands. Oh, and I'm pretty sure those people above weren't saying this was lo-fi.
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A. So two bands have "similarities"...now one is the "poor man's version" of the other? dude, you need to broaden your horizons. do you compare every band that uses samples, synths, and sequenced drum beats to AC?
B. the guy already poked fun at himself for the numbering thing.
C. yes, I am on a debate team and just won.
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Finally get to hear new stuff from these guys!! About time!! Ok so anyone (from NY) who ends up going to their show at the Guggenheim, please report back to us immediately and tell us how the rest of the new songs sounded. As far as when this new LP is being released.. Stereogum, WTF?!! what the hell is 2/9? ?? And yeah I kinda agree with the Lorax upthere... but I'm sure celebs will start popping-up at their shows and thus cease to continue being the poor man's AC.
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It sounds more electronic and less earthy then their last record. still deciding.
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senator, you are no 2080
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not feeling it. it is just too much, it sounds like they just took all of their "tricks" and put it into one song.
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New Yeasayer song? And so my obsession continues...
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YEASAYER ARE FUCKING INCREDIBLE!!!!
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check out their live performance of amblin alp @ pitchfork this summer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MKnRkb8qhE
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YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
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Lets stop comparing bands to Animal Collective, OK you guys?
BTW this song is incredible!
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The running gag of this website for the past fear or so seems to be trying to mention animal Collective or grizzly bear in the comments of every story.
Still, I agree.
Its tired and it makes us sound like we havent heard the older music all these cats are influenced by. Music sobs can do better.
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so good.
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Hmm catchy, but too glitzy and packed full of 'tricks'. Enjoyable, but I doubt I'll be listening to this in 2 years' time and still be feeling uplifted like with all hour cymbals.
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Very promising track... Can't wait for Odd Blood!
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I haven't heard these guys before, but the Animal Collective comparison popped into my head right away when I heard this. I wouldn't call them a poor man's anything, I just definitely see some similarities between them and AC, which isn't a bad thing. Regardless, this song is very cool and I'm definitely looking forward to the record now.
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Sounds like Savage Garden.
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This song makes my dick sweat.
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Very Yeasayer-esq. I'm sooooo happy.
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