You can download ONE on their website here.
Or you can stream the whole album on their MySpace.
01) The Children - Yeasayer opened with this track when I saw them play at The Guggenheim last year, and at first I wasn't sure if the right band was on stage. Incredibly distorted robotic vocals. It sets the tone for the record, and it's a perfect intro for Ambling Alp.
02) Ambling Alp - The first song to be released off of Odd Blood, this is an anthem. "You must stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else done". I love the part towards the end when it explodes TV on the Radio style, with horns and funky vocals, saying something about one's "ass on the line".
03) Madder Red - An early favorite of mine when finally hearing the album in its entirety (I had already played Ambling Alp a million times at this point). The lyrics seem to be about realization/acceptance that a relationship isn't working. I love the line "It's getting harder to keep pretending I'm worth your time".
04) I Remember - In between two songs that are about relationships that have failed and are over is a pretty straight up love song. "You're stuck in my mind all the time".
05) ONE - This song is amazing. The band is now offering this tune for free on their website, as a preview for the record. There's a Caribbean electronic beat, and it's incredibly danceable. "No, you don't move me anymore. And I'm glad that you don't, 'cause I can't take it anymore."
06) Love Me Girl - And we're back to love...sort of. Definitely some paranoia, wondering what the girl's up to. Beats lead into a power piano intro, and some more robotic vocals. Then a horse whinny before the real singing starts. "Don't give up on me, and I won't give up on you".
07) Rome - This is a fun stomper. Seems to be a power trip, basically about conquering the world...eventually. "Rome is gonna be mine. It's just a matter of, it's just a matter of, it's just a matter of time".
08) Strange Reunions - This is a song about how weird it is to continue to have interactions with your ex. The singer has apparently had enough of these "strange reunions", and wants to end the connection once and for all. "Don't ask me for any favors, and I won't ask how you're doing. Leave me alone now, 'cause after all now, dealing with you is a nuisance". Musically, the song is hazy, with a clap-clap-clap keeping the beat.
09) Mondegreen - Any argument that this album is top-heavy falls apart when listening to this song, which may be the album's best. Majorly funky. Some horns are playing and keeping the song driving along. Then there's an awesome guitar riff. "Everybody's talkin' about me and my baby, makin' love 'til the morning light". The song ends with one of those robot voices slowly dying...at least, that's what it sounds like to me. Anyway, it's cool, really.
10) Grizelda -The perfect resolution after the climax of Mondegreen. Some soothing chanting vocals, and what sounds like a flute, wrapping the album up nicely.
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