Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, a five-piece band from Brooklyn, N.Y., is currently showing the music biz that they have little use for the traditional and twisted road to stardom by making themselves responsible for their own destiny. Without a well-planned marketing campaign (the absence of one appears to be the plan) and, until just recently, no record label and no existing publicity other than word-of-mouth and the Internet, the highly acclaimed and relatively unknown Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has relied on its live performances and stand out self-titled debut album to generate excitement. Even this reviewer acknowledges that music is in the ear of the beholder. What sounds good to one may not to another, yet I would venture to say this band is on the verge of something good. It meshes a myriad of influences into a sound that is distinctively orchestrated with unusual arrangements and intriguing sequencing, making this is an album that should be listened to and enjoyed as a whole rather than a collection of singles.

CYHSY hopes the music will speak for itself. There’s no need for a glitzy Web site or a calculated mythology to propel their worth to the masses of music consumers (and critics). On the debut album, the music becomes the centerpiece for the opus. The singer, Alec Ounsworth, resonates a hesitant young David Byrne, even Neil Young and Thom Yorke — all in one. Ultimately, I’m suggesting that his voice is uniquely his own, defying definition by usual standards. At times, the singer’s floaty vocals are out of tune yet in tune with the music, like on impressive tracks such as “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” and “Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away.” The melodies throughout the album could easily be compared to recent indie-rock gems The Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, & The Decemberists, but at times I hear throwbacks to their neighboring ancestors, The Feelies, minus the simplistic arrangements.

Even as trends come and go, nothing can disrupt the creation of good music. Fortunately, outlets such as NPR, college radio, and the Internet give us the means to gain access and eventually develop an appreciation for music that doesn’t always become common household names. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah fits that picture, and as it continues down the path it has cleared for itself, the word is spreading and admiration is growing. Do yourself a favor and ask your local record store for a copy if you’re ready for something weird and wonderful.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 
Album: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 
Label: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 
4 out of 5

(Joe Hooten can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)