Yeasayer - Amen and Goodbye

by Adrian Huggins

published: 30 / 5 / 2016

Label: Mute Records
Format: CD

intro

Satisfying return-to-form from experimental Brooklyn-based psychedelic/pop act, Yeasayer.

'Amen and Goodbye’ is the fourth full-length album from Brooklyn band, Yeasayer. The album sees the band return to fine form, having left it almost four years since their last album, 'Fragrant World'. Their newer offering is far more ‘organic’ as the band made the decision to record it to tape and also seem to have used nearly every single instrument I have ever heard of. The album features the talents of drummer Joey Waronker who has previously played with Beck and Atoms For Peace, and Suzzy Roche also makes an appearance on the first single to be lifted from the album ‘I am Chemistry’ and also a few other points throughout the album including the beautiful psychedelic-folk tinged ‘Half Asleep’. The album does not shy away from the more experimental end of the pop spectrum with tracks like ‘Divine Simulacrum’, ‘Gerson’s Whistle’ and ‘Prophecy Gun’. The video for ‘Prophecy Gun’ is well worth seeking out as it was one of the many tunes that features the work of sculptor David Altmejd, who is a huge influence on the band and the themes of ‘Amen Aad Goodbye’. This and the several other videos have been produced for it along with the album art work adds a visual side to the music which perfectly complements the way the band swing between pop and psychedelia. There are many stand-out tracks in both veins, but the highlight in my opinion would be the hauntingly beautiful ‘Uma’ with it’s Theramin-based hook line giving it a ghostly quality to it. There is also the straight up indie-pop of ‘Silly Me’ which has a Hot Chip, Django Django quality to it, while ‘Cold Night’ has a hint of Joy Division about it. Fans of Broken Social Scene, MGMT and Tame Impala would be well advised to check Yeasayer out. The album is a not so much a grower as a glimpse into a weird world that leaves you compelled to keep going back to it as you notice more and more each listen. ‘Amen and Goodbye’ will definitely be featuring amongst the ‘Best Albums of 2016’.

Track Listing:-

1 Daughters Of Cain
2 I Am Chemistry
3 Silly Me
4 Half Asleep
5 Dead Sea Scrolls
6 Prophecy Gun
7 Computer Canticle 1
8 Divine Simulacrum
9 Child Prodigy
10 Gerson's Whistle
11 Uma
12 Cold Night
13 Amen & Goodbye

Band Links:-

http://blog.yeasayer.net/
https://www.facebook.com/yeasayer
https://twitter.com/yeasayer
https://www.songkick.com/artists/112691-yeasayer
https://www.youtube.com/user/OddBloodTV
https://plus.google.com/114584306783395853744

Label Links:-

http://mute.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muterecords
https://twitter.com/MuteUK
https://www.youtube.com/user/themutechannel

interviews

Interview (2010)

Mark Rowland speaks to Ira Wolf Tuton, the bassist with New York-based art rock band Yeasayer, about his band's acclaimed second album 'Odd Blood' and how it has both translated and also developed on stage

live reviews

Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 12/10/2009

Yeasayer have been among the few bands that I know I should listen to but… don’t. They emerged in 2007 with their critically praised album ‘All Hour Cymbals’, full of experimental sounds and eccentri

King's College, London, 20/8/2008

ICA, London, 6/3/2008