Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 350 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 298 out of 350
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 350
  3. Negative: 25 out of 350

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  1. JustinF
    Sep 28, 2005
    10
    This band has created something purely remarkable with their debut album. The most amazing thing is that every song on this hole album has its own secure strength. The spacial qualities of the music provide a mysteriously large backdrop which is then splattered with crisp and thick guitars which weave between one another, intertwined but never colliding. The omnipresent synth drones and This band has created something purely remarkable with their debut album. The most amazing thing is that every song on this hole album has its own secure strength. The spacial qualities of the music provide a mysteriously large backdrop which is then splattered with crisp and thick guitars which weave between one another, intertwined but never colliding. The omnipresent synth drones and wavering detuned oscilators pull the music in a direction reminiscent of the montreal sound yet at the same time set this music apart as unique and finely crafted imperfection. when it comes down to it, you must listen for yourself becuase all the odd and intensley raw components of the music will leave you stunned and deeply appreciative of this music.… Expand
  2. Keith
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    If you approach this album looking for more than just highl quality indie music you may be a bit dissapointed. CYHSY puts forth a solid album; the band has definitely got their act together. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it's an excellent debut album that offers 12 quality tracks and without a single misfire.
  3. Jason
    Sep 29, 2005
    10
    Cannot stop listening. This certainly deserves the hype and took me only one listen to be hooked. Watch out for these guys.
  4. WillemZ
    Sep 9, 2005
    9
    The most exciting new album i've heard so far thid year
  5. jonathano
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    I love every song that they have on that cd!
  6. tommym
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    the best albumi have heard for quite while
  7. xavierd
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    Surprise of the year 2005. Here's a classic from a to z.
  8. keving
    Jan 22, 2006
    10
    brilliant sound, they deserve a record deal!
  9. NicholasT
    Jan 23, 2006
    10
    An incriminatingly great album. Why does everyone keep on harping on the fact that Ounsworth's voice isn't good? Yes, the man does not have a good voice, but at least he doesn't pretend that he does. The songs on Clap Your Hands Say Yeah don't particulary facilitate an angelic voice anyways. What Ounsworth's voice does have in spades is emotion. Even though the An incriminatingly great album. Why does everyone keep on harping on the fact that Ounsworth's voice isn't good? Yes, the man does not have a good voice, but at least he doesn't pretend that he does. The songs on Clap Your Hands Say Yeah don't particulary facilitate an angelic voice anyways. What Ounsworth's voice does have in spades is emotion. Even though the arrangements of the songs are brilliant and original in scope, it is his unique voice that lends itself to them that much more and makes them even more etherial than they were to begin with. Oh and to all the posters who are jumping on the "i-hate-critics-that-only-say-they-like-a-band-because-they-feel-obligated-to" bandwagon: critics, however off-base or conspicuous they may seem, are simply giving their opinion, not twisting it to fit some pretense latent nature. Most of the time they are, in fact, just flat-out wrong. Not just going along with what everyone else believes. Anyways, ClapYour Hands Say Yeah is a must buy (in my opinion) and ranks as my 2nd favorite album of '05.… Expand
  10. NickS
    Jan 5, 2006
    7
    Okay, for whatever reason this album has been hyped to death, it's not for its songcraft. Most of these songs are terribly simplistic four-minute, three-chord numbers, with very little dynamics. No key changes, no rhythmic variations, no bridges. The vocal melodies are terribly uninteresting. However, the guy's voice itself is pretty unique. I suspect that's the real reason Okay, for whatever reason this album has been hyped to death, it's not for its songcraft. Most of these songs are terribly simplistic four-minute, three-chord numbers, with very little dynamics. No key changes, no rhythmic variations, no bridges. The vocal melodies are terribly uninteresting. However, the guy's voice itself is pretty unique. I suspect that's the real reason for all the glowing reviews. So I give this album a 7 because it's fun and easy on the ears. But it's not terribly original or creative, and in five years I highly doubt you will see this on any "best of the decade" list.… Expand
  11. ChrisG
    Feb 12, 2006
    10
    It's so unique and the sound is so good, I can't really describe it. I was a little confused at first but this ranks as top five on my albums of 2005
  12. ligerk
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    stop thinking!! just feel it! that's it!!
  13. MikeL
    Feb 28, 2006
    10
    Wonderful. Talking heads goes to the circus.
  14. Dave
    Mar 4, 2006
    10
    Love it!
  15. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    8
    Occasionally falters, but mostly soars. Many tracks will make you want to follow the album's titular instructions.
  16. leop
    Apr 15, 2006
    10
    something to be cherished .. a hallmark of independent music.
  17. BrianO
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    Top Beef. Just saw them at T in the park aswell and they did the buisness winning over even the most cynical of my friends.
  18. WilsonA.
    Dec 12, 2007
    10
    There are only 3 or 4 albums that I can honestly say don't have a single bad song. This is one of them
  19. FabM
    Jan 24, 2007
    10
    Certainly the best album in the last 15 years. Nothing is like CYHSY, for sure. And the voice...? Well, Lou Reed reminds a asthma-like voice, but is still one of the best rockers ever ;)
  20. scafy
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    very good album, very good band, very good vocal and music! yeah
  21. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    CYHSY is an immaculate album.
  22. CanadianPhilosopher
    Nov 1, 2005
    10
    Fantastic album. If you are a fan of classic alternative pop, go out and buy this album immediately. Each song is catchier than the last. I have worn out my CD from overplaying it.
  23. Dan
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Listen to the reviews above, not the backlash.
  24. KjetilG
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    Best CD of 2005
  25. BrianG
    Nov 21, 2005
    10
    to quote the Guinness guys: Brilliant!
  26. FiskeS
    Nov 29, 2005
    10
    Amazing.... Great album.
  27. AdrieC
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    help! I can't stop playing this cd!
  28. BobDylan
    Oct 21, 2005
    9
    This is the best album this year so what if its verrrryyy overhyped... deservedly so, so there. Would give it a 9.5, but there's no such thing as a 10 in my opinion (perfection?).
  29. SLUGGOO
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    Talking heads, David Bowie, rapped up into 1 with a rythm that will knock your SOX off, I love it, You deffinetly have to listen to it a few times before it sinks in. They will be huge !
  30. scottr
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    Best Damn CD I have heard this year. For all those people that say that the lead singers voice sucks....It is the worse voice that I am grateful to hear. This band is original and makes you wanna listen to new music agian. If you dont like it then go listen to Nickelback and put a bullet through your left testicle.
  31. tigerbalm
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    Skin of my yellow country teeth....As good as it gets!! At the risk of sounding like a muscial fascist, if you slag this off, you're just crap.
  32. ChadS
    Dec 30, 2005
    8
    This sounds like the third album by The Woodentops. Pick up "Giant" or "Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway" and listen for yourself. But on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien when Alec Ounsworth sang the first syllable of "Is This Home on Ice", my initial response was, "Oh, he likes pre-Brazil David Byrne," just like everyone else. I wish the vocals weren't so buried in the mix like This sounds like the third album by The Woodentops. Pick up "Giant" or "Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway" and listen for yourself. But on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien when Alec Ounsworth sang the first syllable of "Is This Home on Ice", my initial response was, "Oh, he likes pre-Brazil David Byrne," just like everyone else. I wish the vocals weren't so buried in the mix like the songs on Sugar's EP "Beaster". It should've been their strongest track, but that honor goes to "The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth." They sound totally committed to their music like how the Arcade Fire does on "Rebellion(Lies)". The guy from Thrashing Doves, if he hears this album, will probably wonder why nobody(except me) liked his off-key singing.… Expand
  33. RichardM
    Dec 30, 2005
    7
    OK, but I think it is very overated. I suspect its independent release (telling the music industry where to put it) had something to do with it.
  34. MikeC
    Dec 4, 2005
    10
    I'm not an indie-rock nerd: there are some indie darlings that I love, like Death From Above 1979 and Kings of Convenience, but I am no way "in the know." However, when I randomly stumbled upon CYHSY, I was absolutely floored. This is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my favorite album of the year. Every song is excellent, and some songs (including- but not limited to- "Upon This Tidal I'm not an indie-rock nerd: there are some indie darlings that I love, like Death From Above 1979 and Kings of Convenience, but I am no way "in the know." However, when I randomly stumbled upon CYHSY, I was absolutely floored. This is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my favorite album of the year. Every song is excellent, and some songs (including- but not limited to- "Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood," "Over And Over Again (Lost And Found)," "Clap Your Hands!," and "Heavy Metal") are basically perfect. As a few reviews have said, if you don't have this album, you're a complete fool. This is not an indie rock gem- this is a MUSIC gem. I defy someone to listen to "Heavy Metal" or "Over And Over Again" and not sing it non-stop for days at a time.… Expand
  35. FoodwadMcGee
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    This album eats food, and it is the best eater of food I've seen all year.
  36. jimo
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    The best new band to come along in 20 years.
  37. Lauren
    Jul 12, 2005
    10
    I can't get enough of this album. It gets better with every listen. I gained a greater appreciation for it once I heard Alec Ounsworth(the lead singer)'s solo work. The guy's voice is what does it for me, he's all over the map. It is an album that is held very personally dear, I don't think it's possible to be even remotely objective about this album. (how I can't get enough of this album. It gets better with every listen. I gained a greater appreciation for it once I heard Alec Ounsworth(the lead singer)'s solo work. The guy's voice is what does it for me, he's all over the map. It is an album that is held very personally dear, I don't think it's possible to be even remotely objective about this album. (how could you about any album) But I don't think it's overrated, I think it's wonderfully fun and a great fresh approach to the summer. I expect even more great things from this band. This isn't the BEST! ALBUM! EVER! but truly gets better with every listen.… Expand
  38. scottiec
    Jul 17, 2005
    10
    better than your mother. neutral milk hotel and the talking heads had arcade fire as their son. meet illigitamate daughter clap your hands say yeah.
  39. AaronS
    Jul 18, 2005
    10
    Yep, it lives up to the hype. A consistently entertaining album of bright indie pop. Very eccentric and just about damn perfect. It will certainly find a spot on my ten best list this year as well.
  40. PatrickL
    Jul 26, 2005
    10
    Tremendous. Everyone wants to compare the singer to David Byrne, but to me it's more a mix between Byrne and the lead singer for James. The music is very unpredictable with clever usage of keyboards to complement unpredictably smooth guitar and bass melodies. For a self-released album, this record is well produced and mixed. CYH is this year's Arcade Fire, except it took Arcade Tremendous. Everyone wants to compare the singer to David Byrne, but to me it's more a mix between Byrne and the lead singer for James. The music is very unpredictable with clever usage of keyboards to complement unpredictably smooth guitar and bass melodies. For a self-released album, this record is well produced and mixed. CYH is this year's Arcade Fire, except it took Arcade Fire two albums to put out a complete record.… Expand
  41. toddm
    Aug 14, 2005
    10
    This is truly a phenomenal album. The songs are lyrically and vocally interesting, and the music carries a weight that is undeniable. The album shares moments of intimacy interspersed among almost epic sounds. The album has gravitas--I can't say it any other way. Boo to the naysayers. It's the most refreshing album I've heard in years.
  42. matta
    Sep 15, 2005
    8
    Solid debut although it probably isn't quite as good as the buzz that it's getting. People who complain about the lead singer's voice are missing the point-this kind of music wouldn't work if the guy sang like Joe Pernice or Sufjan Stevens. Good disc though, very reminiscent of The Talking Heads with a smashed Thom Yorke on vocals. Definitely worth searching out and getting.
  43. BrianS
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    This is an instant classic album. I haven't heard anything this original, exciting and mind blowing since Modest Mouse debuted with Interstate 8.
  44. poneill
    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    perfect summer uncouth unruffled poptastic indie cool
  45. nathonr
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    An inventive and pleasing album. It screams to be listen to over and over. I've played it for all my friends and co-workers and most of them have gone to pick up the cd for themsleves. Simply mind blowing, daring, and creative.
  46. seanl
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    one of the best beats that i have heard in a long while. great party album. best album od the summer
  47. CP
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable. They are even better live.
  48. DavidG
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    Damn fine debut
  49. RG
    Jul 28, 2006
    9
    great rock/pop album highlights are all over but home on ice stands out above all and the beautiful instrumental tracks lead into songs that are perfectly matched. alot of hype behind the record well worht it.
  50. ConanWatcher
    Aug 14, 2006
    7
    Great sound, great music, great look, great lyrics, crappy vocalist. Just saw them on Conan and the vocalist sounds like a tone-deaf 13 year old in puberty. Sorry guys, but the lyrics hurt my ears and ruined the wonderful music...
  51. peria
    Aug 24, 2006
    10
    Clap Your Hands is what ecstatic Sufis would sound like if they'd been listening to the history of Rock and Roll with a sprinkling of Louis Armstrong's 1920s Hot Five cuts. This is a genuinely great disc.
  52. sparkybear
    Jan 25, 2007
    10
    Yay!
  53. anniex
    Mar 18, 2007
    9
    becomes familiar right away and stays a favorite due to fresh fun melodies and overall writing. one of my favorites of the year!
  54. Mike
    May 24, 2007
    10
    I wonder how many of these downvoters are guys with their own bands, upset that they didn't suddenly explode with popularity like CYHSH did. Anyways, the album: pretty good. The whole band is pretty involved. The vocals are guaranteed to turn off a lot of people, and the lyrics are unpredictable, but everything about them really does funnel into their name. Seriously, try clapping I wonder how many of these downvoters are guys with their own bands, upset that they didn't suddenly explode with popularity like CYHSH did. Anyways, the album: pretty good. The whole band is pretty involved. The vocals are guaranteed to turn off a lot of people, and the lyrics are unpredictable, but everything about them really does funnel into their name. Seriously, try clapping and stomping along to track 1. They're a fun band, and that's what makes them so great.… Expand
  55. BobbyG
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    My favorite for the year. Enchanting.
  56. Ricko
    Nov 14, 2011
    8
    Catchy and quirky from start to finish, The songs are full of melody, while the lyrics and song titles are weird. At times the singing style can grate a bit, but overall there isn't much I'd change about this record. I can't say this is the most original record ever as it's obvious throughout that the band are huge Talking Heads enthusiasts. Still it sounds fresh and different to mostCatchy and quirky from start to finish, The songs are full of melody, while the lyrics and song titles are weird. At times the singing style can grate a bit, but overall there isn't much I'd change about this record. I can't say this is the most original record ever as it's obvious throughout that the band are huge Talking Heads enthusiasts. Still it sounds fresh and different to most things out there. It's a shame the band haven't been able to get over the success they had with this, struggling on albums 2 and 3. An indie classic.… Expand
  57. atmosphericrex
    Aug 14, 2015
    10
    It's like a homeless ballet dancer, incredibly precise and elegant with the appearance of nonchalance and filth. Somebody give this man a dollar, he deserves it. (Or give him some salt)
  58. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 24, 2022
    7
    The sonic forefather of later more ambitious and dynamic band's (see:carseatheadrest). This debut is a confident blast of optimism! Helmed by the typical "bad" north-western male vocalist this band with an awful band name leave it all on the 12 songs going in intresting albeit familiar direction. Favourites:over&over again, let the cool goddess rust away,sunshine &clouds
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2005
11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. cokemachineglow
    84
    CYHSY’s songs ring of The Bends-era songwriting, but loungier, more playful, more comfortable in their own skin.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    90
    The record is consistently, remarkably strong.
    Read full review
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    If there are complaints to lobby against this remarkable debut, they lie mostly in its sound-quality. Namely, it sounds like what it was: self-recorded and self-released.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »