Band: Yeasayer
Release: 2010
Label: Secretly Canadian

1. “The Children” – C-
2. “Ambling Alp” – A+
3. “Madder Red” – B+
4. “I Remember” – B
5. “ONE” – A-
6. “Love Me Girl” – C-
7. “Rome” – C
8. “Strange Reunions” – C+
9. “Mondegreen” – C+
10. “Grizelda” – B+

Comments: Sometimes robotic electronic noises can be annoying. That’s the case on the first song. It’s a stark contrast from the upbeat positively spun “Ambling Alp,” which is undeniably an instant classic, albeit a little cheesy. “Stick up for yourself, son” really Yeasayer, really? Whatever man. I really dig the pseudo neo-soul that begins “And those thunder clouds…” It reminds me of OutKast. I’m a bit unfazed with the next tune. There are some sweets licks and catchy sequences, but it starts out a bit slow. “I Remember” has a good beat. “ONE” is wanna-be Peter Bjorn and John Living Thing (meets Julian Casablancas) material, except a bit more psychedelic and outer worldly. I don’t hate it. What’s up with the Justin Timberlake-esque stuff on “Love Me Girl.” It’s got the title and chops to fit on a JT collection. It takes guts to name a song after a great song by Phoenix (Rome). Especially when your version is many times worse than the original.

Grade: B- (81)