Yeasayer

Yeasayer. This is one review I am hesitant to write. I feel inhibited by the limit of words in my effort to adequately convey the calibre of this group’s performance this evening. You see, whilst Brooklyn group’s debut album All Hour Cymbals is masterfully produced, it is somewhat deceptive. It has a deeply layered sound with textures that softly caresses one’s ears. It is often my music of choice when falling asleep (do not mistake this for boring, it certainly is nothing of the sort). But tonight I was shocked by the loud intensity and depth to their live sound. Albeit mesmerizing, it was definitely not something for one to be drifting off to.

What they describe to be ‘middle eastern-psych-snap-gospel’ is an amalgam of atmospheric synthesizers and meandering guitars. What sounds to be vocals drenched with reverb on many of the tracks is in fact layers of harmonies provided by each of the band members. All four of them are more than capable of singing, as well as utilizing their respective instruments. Like their eclectic sound, the group’s appearance was nothing short of peculiar. Bassist Ira Wolf Tuton even had his hair tied up in schoolgirl pigtails. Yes, strange indeed. As frontman of the group, Chris Keating does not acknowledge the audience till quite late into the set. When he does so, he comes across as somewhat drunk. Intoxicated or not, he was in fine form delivering his powerful vocals, shaking his maraca and belting the old keys whilst intermittently tweaking the vast array of knobs on his synth. And while Keating may be the man in front, Luke Fasano is no less dynamic up the back on drums. With his full kit he incorporates complex live rhythms with synthesized beats. For the intro of No Need to Worry he makes use of a loop and over-dub effect. This evening’s setlist featured mostly tracks from their debut, alongside a few new tracks I had not yet heard. Unsurprisingly, they were just as impressive as the more recognizable ones, such as 2080. The apocalyptical lyrical opening to this track (‘I can't sleep when I think about the times we're living in, I can't sleep when I think about the future I was born into’) is pleasantly juxtaposed with hopeful melodies and chorus (‘It’s a new year and I’m glad to be here’). The quartet wrapped up the show with the epic Wait for the Wintertime, the pounding bass and drums guiding ambient vocals.

Having supported the likes of MGMT and Beck, these boys are deserving of all the international merit they have been receiving in recent months. Hands down one of the best shows I have seen this year, second only to Sigur Ros’ set at the Splendour in the Grass festival. Along with the aforementioned, Yeasayer are one of those bands that have to be seen live to truly experience the subtle complexity inherent in their music. Here’s hoping they return to our shores with haste.

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