Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - London Soho Revue Bar - 30/1/07
4/5
By: Keri Kennedy
It's difficult not to love this venue. Tonight, the same plush surroundings that hosted last weeks chaotic ladies-only night with the Eagles of Death Metal are taking a bit of a breather with a decidedly more serene affair, and filled to just capacity, it's the perfect intimate setting.
However, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's 'secret' album launch party does feel a little bit... forced. After arriving on stage some half an hour or so late, Alec Ounsworth and co. don't seem like they're particularly fussed about being there. This being the third live show of theirs I've witnessed, it's becoming apparent that, bar keyboardist Robbie Guertins energetic efforts, this just is the way CYHSY are, like it or not. They come on, they play, someone might squeeze out a grin if you're lucky, and they leave faster than they arrived.
Showcasing 7 or so new tracks from forthcoming LP 'Some Loud Thunder', the first impression you gain of the sophomore effort is that it isn't quite as immediately engaging as their breakthrough, self titled debut, though there's no lack of anthems. 'Satan Said Dance', a familiar live favourite and new single, sounds out of place on the album, though the live incarnation's chanting chorus, bleeps and disco beat gets the toes tapping and heads appropriately nodding.
The LP's fuzz laden title track 'Some Loud Thunder' is euphoric, along the lines of the evenings much requested 'The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth'. Ounsworth, head bobbing and eyes rolling, now even almost seems to be enjoying himself, perhaps because it's this song, more than any other, that draws out the David Byrne vocal within him. Really, it's uncanny.
'Some Loud Thunder' merges into 'Is This Love's swirling melodies, which in turn leads to their most beautiful new creation, and possibly longest named track; 'Mama, Won't You Keep Those Castles In The Air & Burning?' The song just builds and builds until a melancholic sweet chorus, which confuses you as to whether you should be feeling sad or happy. The bluesy 'Yankee Go Home' sees Alec's trademark wail at full throttle, screaming "Yankee go, yankee go hooooome" to a backing off 'ooh's from the rest of the band. He wryly points out the name of this track, as if we wouldn't be able to tell, this sarcastic banter is pretty much all the interaction we get.
'Underwater (You and Me)' is Spector-esque with pounding drums and tambourine, while the traditional choice of closing song; 'Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood' strums along to a climactic finish. Aside from the fact this gig was obviously an industry 'do', watching a band who are soon to play a sold out Shepherds Bush Empire in such a small and relaxed venue is nothing to be sniffed at. Granted, the stage presence may not be up there with the best of them, but the music Clap Your Hands Say Yeah create more than makes up for it.
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