I’m pretty cynical when it comes to New Rocktm. It seems like everytime I hear a new mainstream band I think I like, I get the album and get burned. It happened with Hot Hot Heat. I really dug “Bandages” so I got the album and what a load of crap. then there was the Strokes, White Stripes, those two chicks with the ghost song, most recently The Subways who, when I saw them on Lettermen, gave an ass kickin’ perfomance worthy of L.A. in '78. They reminded me of The Alleycats, one of my fave bands from that time and place. I got the album and it was like “eh…”. I still think they could put out a killer record if they were recorded like a three piece punk band should.
So I was at work today listening to the local Cutting Edgetm (yeah right) station and this song came on that caught my ear. I keep listening and find out its a song called “The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth” by Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah.
“What a stupid fucking name for a band” I thought Yeah, but what a cool song. So I got home and downloaded the album and this is the first album since maybe The Hives that I didn’t feel ripped off by buying. I listened to the whole album once so far, but I cant stop listening to “yellow Teeth”. You know how it is when you discover a song that you love, you want to absorb every little detail.
Apperently, there was a huge internet buzz thing going on with this band and they sold over 40 thousand copies of the Lp on their own. OK, but I’m on the internet like all day, I read music news sites, participate in a few forums and usenet, and I have always kind of prided myself as the guy who gets into stuff before anyone else, so how the fuck did I not hear these guys before today.
Anyway…I had to tell someone about my cool new find, and I happened to be here so…check it out!
I love their CD and just bought a physical copy of it a couple of weekends ago. I had resisted them at first because I thought they were the next over-hyped indie hipster demi-gods. (A group I loosely associated with at times.) Then I actually gave them a chance and was blown away.
Not everyone will like them, a couple of my friends hate the lead singers voice but I just love them even more for it. I love voices that stand out from the pack.
Yeah, the voice might be off-putting to some, but I agree, thats one of the things I like about them, same way with singers like Jello Biafra or John Lydon.
I think this album is gonna age well, and still be popular twenty years from now the same way Violent Femmes’ first album is more popular now than it was when it was first released (although its not as popular now as it was say, five years ago).
I’m really surprised you missed the internet buzz. pitchforkmedia.com have been giving these guys blow jobs for months. I personally can’t stand the voice. makes my skin crawl. But I haven’t heard such hype since Arcade Fire.
They’re somewhere between the Strokes and Talking Heads. I’ve had their album about 6 months so far, it is perhaps the best thing I’ve gotten since Sufjan Stevens and the New Pornographer’s last ones.
Another CYHSY fan checking in. Despite all of the hype, it really is a pretty solid album. I saw them on Conan in January, and the singer’s voice is definitely more grating without studio assistance. His voice cracks, but I think he does it on purpose, and he does it a lot.
I have a feeling we’re about to see the same thing happen with Tapes 'n Tapes, whose new album garnered a favorable Pitchfork review. They also added the band to their summer festival in Chicago, and I’m pretty sure I just saw an article about them on Rolling Stone’s web site.
It’s funny you should mention Tapes n’ Tapes. I started to her the “buzz” around them about two months ago and from what I’ve heard I’ve liked. Plus it doesn’t hurt that they’re the next big thing amongst the music bloggers.
I’d say give them six to eight months and they’ll be garnering all this attention.
I can see the Talking Heads comparison a little bit in the vocals but I don’t hear any Strokes in the mix at all. I hear a lot of Television influences though. Not in the guitar, Televison was/is totaly unique in that respect, but in other ways.
We’ve actually played with them a couple times (tapes n’ tapes too). Personally, I like the parenthetical band a bit more, since they’re more enjoyable live (in my opinion). But both did something that amazes me to no end: survive as musicians without a label. CYHSY being incredibly successful at that strategy. Both their albums are incredibly hyped but incredibly consistent. My two pennies there.
(and, since someone mentioned CYH as the best CD they’ve gotten in six months, I have to suggest buying the National’s Alligator, which is better than anything I’ve bought in years. Effing stellar)
I’ve had it since it came out, as well. It’s pretty good. Sat next to the bassist at a wedding about 1.5 years ago, right after they got signed to Beggar’s Group. Made the wedding more interesting.