It’s been a while since we heard anything from terrific experimental band Yeasayer, but they have returned with their sophomore effort, “Odd Blood”. The follow up to their outstanding debut “All Hour Cymbals” is much more poppy than the former and is step down for the Brooklyn group. Upon first listen, I had to remind myself that this is the same group that gave me such great tracks such as “2080” and “Sunrise”. It’s great to hear artists progress their sound, but this doesn’t sound like the same band I knew on “All Hour Cymbals”.

It seems as though they were trying to cash in on the more poppy sounds of fellow experimental bands Dirty Projectors or Animal Collective. Yeasayer if you were shooting for the success of “Bitte Orca” or “Merriweather Post Pavilion”, you were way off the mark. Those albums were big steps for both groups and were met with critical acclaim and a certain level of mainstream success. “Odd Blood” is not going to be one of those albums. The poppy synth sounds are very new wave and feel outdated. Bands like Dirty Projectors, Animal Collective, and Neon Indian can make those sounds work because that is what we have come to expect from them and they are just supremely talented. When I think of Yeasayer I think of an experimental rock sound we had on “All Hour Cymbals”. The sound of that album is so unique and they pull it off so well. Here on “Odd Blood”, they sound like a fish out of water.

By reading this review it seems like this album has no redeeming qualities or is even worth looking into, and that is only partially the case. As unsettling as this album is, there are at least some highlights if but only a few. The single “Ambling Alp” is tolerable at best, but is not a strong single by any means. The album shines, ok dimly lights the room, on tracks like “Madder Red” and “I Remember”. The album opener “The Children” is worth a listen only for having that vintage Yeasayer experimental sound. Avoid tracks like “O.N.E.” and “Rome”, they play to everything that is bad with this album.

My lasting impression is that this album has a few good songs, but is mostly forgettable. I won’t say this was a sophomore slump, I think this was just a lapse in judgment by Yeasayer. Tackling an entirely new sound was a tall order and they felt out of their comfort zone. Hopefully album three will be a return to the sound on “All Hour Cymbals”.

I would like to take this time to send a shout out to LauraF. She has name dropped me in her fantastic articles. LauraF, I just wanted to repay the favor. I’ll try to work you in on my future articles. Maybe my fellow indie nerd liked this album more than I did.

Grade: 5/10

Track Listing:

1. The Children
2. Ambling Alp
3. Madder Red
4. I Remember
5. O.N.E.
6. Love Me Girl
7. Rome
8. Strange Reunions
9. Mondegreen
10. Grizelda