Tuesday's Earful: Yeasayer; U-Melt; BuzzUniverse

By: David Schultz

Two years ago, Yeasayer's debut album All Hour Cymbals had bloggers all atwitter in their usual state of excitement and at SXSW, every one of their numerous sets, including one at the NPR showcase, had lines streaming down West Sixth or Red River. They surely didn't rush back into the studio to capitalize on the success. Quite the opposite, they seemed to let the buzz fade before trying to get it going again. With Odd Blood, their long-awaited follow-up, Yeasayer treads lightly between well-crafted melodious pop and visionary Brooklyn-proper originality, never committing to either camp.

Anand Wilder, Chris Keating and Ira Wolf Tuton seem to have enjoyed their time in the studio: "The Children" seems to make use of a spare Auto-Tune and, like many bands will this decade, show that they were paying attention to what Animal Collective has been up to the past couple years. Much like Vampire Weekend's second effort, Yeasayer will knock a few noses out of joint by doing something different. Odd Blood does keep your interest, even when they flirt dangerously with the Eighties power ballad motif.

Jon Pareles wrote an interesting feature on the band and the new album for the Sunday Arts & Leisure section of The New York Times. In discussing their new direction, they try to put the whole thing into perspective:

“When you read about a Bob Dylan or David Bowie making a new-sounding record after they made one that was popular, or even loved by a couple of people, people were really mad,” [Keating] said. “Then it’s only in hindsight that it was cool. It’s cool to keep moving.”

U-MELT HAS ADDED DATES TO their upcoming Perfect World tour, including their first proper swing through the West Coast. The trek begins later this month in the Northeast with their February 20 album release celebration at the Bowery Ballroom being the show to highlight. On March 24, U-Melt visits the South - three shows in North Carolina and one in Atlanta - before heading west where they will visit Winston's in San Diego (April 2), The Mint in Los Angeles (April 3) and The Connecticut Yankee in San Francisco, CA (April 4) before covering most of Colorado. U-Melt thrives on stage so if they are in your town, you do not have anything better to do that night. Get the full slate of tour dates by clicking here.

BUZZUNIVERSE WILL ALSO BE MAKING new friends in the Spring, making their first venture to the Midwest. The New Jersey based band will be bringing their progressive and eclectic brand of music to Cleveland, Ohio on April 15, Indianapolis, Indiana on April 16 and Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 17. They'll return to New York City for an April 30 gig at the Ace of Clubs (w/ Leroy Justice) to celebrate Willie Nelson's birthday. Check out BuzzU's full Spring schedule by clicking here.