In assuming you’ve been paying attention for the past couple years, you must know about the self-released, self-titled debut from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the phenomenon surrounding it’s best-selling status. In an effort to justify the hooplah of the first album, they recently released a follow up, Some Loud Thunder.
Upon first listen this album will sound mediocre, with the title track giving you an odd and annoyed taste right off. It’s after a couple successive listens, however, that you’ll find Some Loud Thunder succeeds as much as the debut, you just won’t hear as much of a fuss since they’re now expected to be great. The big difference here is texture. Where Clap Your Hands Say Yeah felt like an airy afternoon, this sounds thicker – like a walk at night down a cobble-stoned street (”Upon Encountering The Crippled Elephant,” “Arm & Hammer,” and “Yankee Go Home”).
What I personally like about this album is it’s potential for a soundtrack. There is an inexplicable feeling of an ’80s classic waiting to be highlighted by CYHSY’s odd emotion. “Love Song No. 7″ and “Five Easy Pieces” lend well to this feeling, but it’s “Goodbye To The Mother & The Cover” that really drives the point home. Its heavily layered melodies are just aching for teen angst to be resolved in a slowly tracked montage.
This album, like their first, isn’t for everyday use. Frontman Alec Ounsworth’s whiny vocals start to wear on certain frequencies if taken in heavy doses. If you’re looking to highlight an eventful day or week though, throw this in and stare longingly into the distance for half an hour.
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