On first listening to Odd Blood, I wasn’t really sure what to think. I had very high hopes for Yeasayer. They put out an amazing record in 2007 and their contribution to Dark Was The Night seduced me into going out and buying a vinyl copy. To compound this, I had heard the first single, “Ambling Alp” from the album a few weeks ago and was really impressed. It was upbeat without being obnoxious and experimental without being weird.

Three weeks ago it was probably safe to say that Yeasayer was one of my favorite bands, but now they have put me in a tricky position. I didn’t really like Odd Blood. There are a few songs that I did enjoy but the overall style and quality declined since the last time they caressed my eardrums with their hippie audio.

“The Children” and “Love Me Girl” suffer from digital voice filters that cut away any enjoyment of Yeasayer’s lyrical power. “Love Me Girl” also borrows heavily from 90’s dance music. This isn’t really an indicator of where Yeasayer seems to be coming from, though, because most of the album sounds like it was spawned in the 80’s. Maybe that will appeal more to you, dear readership, than it did to me, but personally I think of the 80’s as a cultural blackout. “I Remember” is repetitive, which makes me wonder if perhaps the character has Alzheimer’s disease.

The two redeeming songs are the aforementioned “Ambling Alp” and, the album’s final attempt to salvage my lovr, “Grizelda.” When the first few chords of “Grizelda” floated through the air to my bleeding ears, I almost wept. By then I was just about ready to behead the entire monstrosity with my pointy words. “But wait!” the track seemed to cry, “Don’t you remember all those summer days you and Yeasayer had together? Don’t you want those days back?” Yes, I did want to fall back in love with Yeasayer, and my hand was stayed from performing a killing blow. However, I don’t think it will ever be the same. I’ll always remember the betrayal that I felt at  Odd Blood.

In case you can’t tell what my point is, I’ll lay it out: you can skip buying this record. If you are set on buying a Yeasayer album, then get All Hour Cymbals or go to a live show. If all else fails you can join me in hoping against hope that Yeasayer can regain their former glory in a couple of years when they get around to releasing a third album.

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