CD of The Week

Yeasayer - Secretly Canadian (Fragrant World)

With their third studio release, Fragrant World, Yeasayer have again created an original, non-traditional, and varied album, rich with layers and many unexpected arrangements. In fact, this one seems even more varied than their last, the highly praised Odd Blood. With the songs on Fragrant World, Yeasayer continuously break your expectations of the norm and create a of world of sound that takes you somewhere else entirely.

Some of them aren't so pleasant at first, like the interesting and freaky voice in the closing sequence of "Demon Road," which actually sounds quite demonic but becomes more aurally fixating with each listen. Then there are songs like "Blue Paper" that evoke more pleasant feelings with larger-than-life segments. There are not as many hooks occurring continuously throughout the album; they are present but just more masked and isolated. "Longevity" and opener "Fingers Never Bleed" have complex, swinging beats with striking lyrical arrangements, for instance. The two catchiest songs on the album would probably be "Reagan's Skeleton" and "Damaged Goods" if you are looking for a more steady flow. Otherwise, expect a bit of chaos, as in "No Bones" and experimentation with new technology to create interesting layering and effects. The other appealing tracks for me included "Devil and the Deed" and "Glass of the Microscope," although I've grown to love them all. Yeasayer continue to enhance their already distinct sound with this release and I can't wait to hear what they come up with next.

Yeasayer will return to Philadelphia on November 16th at Union Transfer.
Review by Amy G.