Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY)

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an indie group based in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. This is their debut album, self-released and promoted primarily via their blogging buzz in 2005. The band consists of Alec Ounsworth, guitar and vocals; Robbie Guertin, guitar keyboard and vocals; Lee Sargent, guitar, keyboard and vocals; Tyler Sargent, bass and vocals; and Sean Greenhalgh, drums and percussion.

The vocals are different than anything else I've heard, bordering along the lines of David Byrne. However, the catchy, clever lyrics make up for the unusual sound of Alec Ounsworth's voice.

One of the most memorable songs is "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth." The vocals are peculiar and take a little getting used to, but the juxtaposition of the instrumentation with the vocals is fascinating. The bass line is straight from a Modest Mouse progression, but the music is enjoyable regardless.

"Sunshine and Clouds" is an awesome, short, instrumental excerpt that includes myriad percussive instruments layered upon one another, leading into another fabulous song - "Details of the War." The song fashions the shimmering acoustics and resonance of the guitar with a synth and harmonica.

Enjoy!

The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth

Details of the War

Choir Invisible (2006) The Deaths

The Deaths are a Fargo local band. They were mentioned in the May 2005 issue of SPIN (pictured). They also performed at SXSW in 2006 and 2007


Choir Invisible first came out in 2005 and was re-released to a wider audience in July 2006. I bought this album last year on a whim from Orange Records.

(Shameless free plug: If you're in Fargo, and looking for new music, especially local stuff, I know that Orange Records has a pretty good selection. Go check them out.)

The songs that I find to be especially good on this album are "Birmingham" and "Go Slow," both of which I have on this page. Of the adjectives I've seen attributed to The Deaths, I think that minimalist and Brit pop sum it up best for me. This is one of those albums that makes me want to buy the next one just to see where they take their music. (Conveniently, they have a newer album out, "Centralia," which was released in 2008.)

If you'd like to learn more about The Deaths, visit their website. Until then, enjoy the songs provided!

Birmingham - The Deaths

Go Slow - The Deaths

Honeysuckle Weeks (2008) The Submarines

I discovered the Submarines through Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (it has a lot of other good music too, including Bishop Allen, live!). and I enjoy them a lot. They're surprisingly more well-known than I originally thought, and have heard them in random places like the at mall and in commercials... Below are two of my favorite songs, Xavia and Swimming Pool.

"Xavia" - The Submarines

"Swimming Pool" - The Submarines

Have fun!

A Strange Arrangement (2009) Mayer Hawthorne

For anyone who has even a mild appreciation for soul music, this album is wonderful. I've posted a couple of my favorite tracks below. "Love Is Alright" was on a previously released single. "Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'" is on the album. If you like either (or both), I would highly recommend getting a copy of A Strange Arrangement for yourself as soon as possible.

"Love Is Alright" - Mayer Hawthorne

"Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'" - Mayer Hawthorne

Enjoy!