Yeasayer @ Billboard,Melbourne (10/02/2011)

Sun 13th Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Brooklyn’s Yeasayer are audio adventurers of the highest order. They experiment without fear and the results are a genre-defying delight. Tonight’s show at Billboard is a cross-continental voyage from tribal Africa to the Far East and it’s taken from the backseat of a time machine hurling through the 80’s, 70’s and 60’s — taking unpredictable turns and fuelled by the (pelvic) thrust power of synth.

They are quick learners too. Armed with the understanding that the way to a Melbournian’s heart is through their gullet: singer/keyboardist Chris Keating hands the front row plastic cups and fills them with vino.

They ignite the evening’s otherworldly jamboree with the beautiful Tightrope. The drums are infectious and the three-part harmonies and twinkling keys wash over the crowd — instantly enthralling us.

A surprisingly early leap into their sophomore album hit ONE whips up a dance floor fervour. It’s hard to believe the sentiments crooned by singer/guitarist Anand Wilder, “It’s hard having fun, it’s much easier said than it’s done,” as the energy level soars through the roof. Keating appreciates the enthusiasm, joking: “OK we’re done now, we can go.”

The New Yorkers don’t drop the pace from there. Their set list is exciting, eccentric and erratic: enough to make a pigeonholing critic’s head spin. Layer upon sonic layer, they add so much texture to each song the crowd swings from jubilant dancing to slack-jawed awe. Charismatic Keating charms the crowd and leaps about the stage, twisting and turning with every beat drop. While Wilder retains an air of mystery, letting his vulnerable and alluring vocals tell his story.

They begin each jam with suspense: slowly building a rich soundscape that suddenly hairpin- turns into the recognisable opening bars of album favourites. There’s enough synth-pop to send an action command to the hips of the masses, but their sound still remains exotic, even alien at times. Psych-disco rhythms have the punters dancing up a storm, and Mondegreen even forays into funk. Other numbers make for oddly beautiful anthems. Madder Red transports me to the middle of a wind-whipped desert, howling the chorus to the skies.

Other highlights come with Ira Wolf Tuton’s barrelling bass line in Rome. And some definitive favourites off debut, All Hour Cymbals like 2080 and Sunrise. Firecracker Ambling Alp wins the night though with pumped punters hollering, “stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else done.”