Rating: NNNN
The stunning independent success of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s fab self-released debut disc, which circumvented conventional label, distribution and publicity operations to scan 120,000 copies, means the knives will be out for their new Dave Fridmann-produced Some Loud Thunder album. No doubt there’ll be some blogger grousing about the dearth of immediately catchy iPod-rockers, but CYHSY never were a disposable singles band. With Fridmann’s guidance, they slow the pace to experiment with different sound textures (some Flaming Lips-style bleeping and blooping) and structures (“Let’s try it without drums”), although the excited yelping of frontman Alec Ounsworth remains a constant. Not every track is a winner, but fans of their brash debut will still find a lot to enjoy here, particularly the sweet Emily Jean Stock and the concert fave Satan Said Dance, which should be heard in clubs for months to come. Props for continuing to do it all on their own terms.
