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. geraldinev
    Jul 6, 2005
    9
    clap your hands!!! to this band!!!
  2. leonardop
    Jul 9, 2005
    9
    Arcade Fire is the best album of 2004 ,this year the most beautiful album is Clap Your hands say yeah!
  3. StooB
    Aug 7, 2005
    9
    An amazing and refreshing album. Obviously the vocals will divide people up and make it a strongly love/hate album, but there are lots of great singers who suffer that (yorke, corgan, bjork)
  4. f
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    what i needed
  5. RaulJ
    Sep 28, 2005
    9
    CYHSY have got it. To all of the reviewers who ripped this one, you are welcome to your opinion, however sick & wrong it may be. Great CD.
  6. BobG
    Sep 7, 2006
    9
    Thumb up.
  7. Jeff
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    You get used the initially abrasive vocals, and the melodies hook you. It is a very good cd.
  8. LorganS
    Nov 23, 2005
    9
    MAKE SURE that you listen to the cd more than once before forming an opinion. It just grows on you so much. After the third time listening, I had made up my mind that this was pone of the greatest and different indie rock bands of our time. The band trie somthing different than most boring popular music out there and I love em for it. The singer really puts it all together. So anyway, MAKE SURE that you listen to the cd more than once before forming an opinion. It just grows on you so much. After the third time listening, I had made up my mind that this was pone of the greatest and different indie rock bands of our time. The band trie somthing different than most boring popular music out there and I love em for it. The singer really puts it all together. So anyway, listen to it again!… Expand
  9. EffE
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    This is a great first album. Reminds me of R.E.M. first albums (Chronic Town and Murmur). The bass line is always lound and melodic and Ounsworth doesn't pretend he can sing. The tunes are really good too, especially The Skins of my Yellow Country Teeth and Heavy Metal. It really sound fresh.
  10. AramisG
    Dec 6, 2005
    9
    It will sound alot like Talking Heads or Violent Femmes on your first listen. Stick with it because it will grow on you. I won't say they are a great band until I hear a follow up album. Too many bands these days burn out after one album.
  11. PedroC
    Jul 15, 2005
    9
    Great great great great album!!!!!!!!! Will be on my top 10 albums of this year!
  12. bret
    Jul 18, 2005
    9
    very good...only 1 song i'm not crazy about
  13. Mr.Holler
    Jul 19, 2005
    9
    Bought this album because of the buzz - not what I was expecting at all...and yet...every time I listen through and put something else in, I keep stopping mid-way through and putting this back in. Either they've found a way to administer nicotine aurally or else it's a really rewarding listen. Kind of Belle and Sebastian meets David Byrne meets the Danielson Famile meets Arcade Bought this album because of the buzz - not what I was expecting at all...and yet...every time I listen through and put something else in, I keep stopping mid-way through and putting this back in. Either they've found a way to administer nicotine aurally or else it's a really rewarding listen. Kind of Belle and Sebastian meets David Byrne meets the Danielson Famile meets Arcade Fire meets I don't know what else. Something solid.… Expand
  14. TerrenceO
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    Fascinating, entertaining, and catchy as hell. This group frolics perfectly amongst the current buzz bands of the indie world (ie. Firey Furnaces, Arcade Fire, Architechure in Helsinki) Theyre, cute, dancable, funny and occasionally rocking
  15. Bryce
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    This is solid. Too bad Joe B. didn't get the memo. If you can't enjoy this you can't enjoy music. Try listening to it instead of criticizing it and being just that much cooler than the next guy so you can look back and wrongly say "I never actually liked it, even when everyone else was falling over themselves loving it". The emotional gut wrenching feelings that come out of This is solid. Too bad Joe B. didn't get the memo. If you can't enjoy this you can't enjoy music. Try listening to it instead of criticizing it and being just that much cooler than the next guy so you can look back and wrongly say "I never actually liked it, even when everyone else was falling over themselves loving it". The emotional gut wrenching feelings that come out of this music is what makes it, not the fact that so and so said it was "THE album to listen to this summer!" Give your head a shake-this is the one! Christ!… Expand
  16. Drub
    Jul 26, 2005
    9
    Absolutely brilliant piece of work, I already can't wait to hear something new.
  17. ckasem
    Jul 29, 2005
    9
    Sounds like if david Byrne sung lead for the Feelies or old new order. I love it
  18. damoner
    Jul 5, 2005
    9
    the comparisons to tHeads, ViolentFemmes, NMH, are all evident here. That is really not a bad thing either. This CD delivers a full-on dose of inspired indie gold. I keep enjoying it more with each and every listen.
  19. Ben
    Jul 6, 2005
    9
    All this album took for me was one listen and I was hooked. Best pop album in years. To me far superior to Arcade Fire, although really the two bands aren't comparable except cyhsy has all the buzz arcade fire had back in the fall
  20. BrianM
    Aug 12, 2005
    9
    Very Impressive debut. It does have a very fresh sound. Forget about the hype and just listen to it. Enjoy!
  21. chooch
    Aug 12, 2005
    9
    i usually disagree with pitchfork ratings but i can't stop listening to this cd. The first listen was ok but it keeps getting better and better. I was getting really tired of the disco beat indie rock.
  22. stilicho
    Aug 15, 2005
    9
    Simply amazing work, with obvious influences yet its own unique approach and tone. All it took was the first minute of "Yellow Country Teeth" and I was hooked. I wasn't disappointed by the rest of the album, in fact, it's growing on me. There's no filler, even though not every song is a "single".
  23. MarkO.
    Aug 2, 2005
    9
    An excellent debut. I can't stop listening to this album! It's the perfect blend of newcomer originality and experienced control. One of the best of the year!
  24. KreshnakK
    Aug 23, 2005
    9
    To my opinion, this is one of the best lp released this year. This band sounds uniqe! I don't know any band who has significant similarities to "Clap Your Hands...". First, i was quite shocked by the singers brash and impulsive voice. But meanwhile i've got used to it. That's good.
  25. 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.
  26. WillemZ
    Sep 9, 2005
    9
    The most exciting new album i've heard so far thid year
  27. xavierd
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    Surprise of the year 2005. Here's a classic from a to z.
  28. 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.
  29. Dan
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Listen to the reviews above, not the backlash.
  30. 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?).
  31. poneill
    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    perfect summer uncouth unruffled poptastic indie cool
  32. DavidG
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    Damn fine debut
  33. 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.
  34. 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!
  35. MikeE
    Jun 30, 2005
    8
    1 part David Byrne, 1 part Neutral Milk Hotel, and a dash of Kings of Leon. Give it three solid listens while your "cool" friends tell you how great this album is and you'll come around.
  36. Breathe
    Jul 1, 2005
    8
    Nice album!
  37. Guigong
    Dec 20, 2005
    8
    Un disque qui est arruivé sur ma platine au hasard d'un achat spontané en magasin et un plaisir immense à savourer cette pop marquée d'influences 80. Grand disque!
  38. paull
    Oct 27, 2005
    8
    i think that the 8.3 average score that this has gotten so far is fairly accurate. "heavy metal" and "gimme some salt" really drag and just feel pathetic next to "details of the war" and "in this home on ice." "over and over again" is a beautiful pop song that should be the track that this album is remembered by, but instead it will probably be "the skin of..." which is very fun and well i think that the 8.3 average score that this has gotten so far is fairly accurate. "heavy metal" and "gimme some salt" really drag and just feel pathetic next to "details of the war" and "in this home on ice." "over and over again" is a beautiful pop song that should be the track that this album is remembered by, but instead it will probably be "the skin of..." which is very fun and well written and such, but come on...that's a modest mouse guitar part for christ sakes, i haven't heard anything that obvious in years. "let the cool goddess" and "is this love?" are very solid but could be more...intense maybe? "upon this tidal wave" is a good closer, and the instrumentals are cute and aid the album's flow. this record is not as consistent as it could be, but it's highs are pretty breathtaking for a debut album. i have heard plenty of talking heads, i am not a big fan. i think alec from CYHSY should stick to the more "singing" singing he does here, which sounds alot like a gloriously drunken thom yorke to me, as opposed to this yelping business. i also really enjoyed the backround vocals while consistently wishing that the guitars be louder in the mix. a feeling i get with this record is that they have much more potential than say, the arcade fire...potential to make a better follow up album. and i think they will… Expand
  39. TravisB
    Jul 17, 2005
    8
    This album makes me wonder what radiohead would have sounded like if they stayed along the bends route. Although the production sounds somewhat low budget, the musical arrangements surpass any doubts one could possibly have about the talent of this band. Slightly overhyped, but still worthy of the stamp of approval. i won't be surprised to see this album on numerous reviewer's This album makes me wonder what radiohead would have sounded like if they stayed along the bends route. Although the production sounds somewhat low budget, the musical arrangements surpass any doubts one could possibly have about the talent of this band. Slightly overhyped, but still worthy of the stamp of approval. i won't be surprised to see this album on numerous reviewer's year end lists.… Expand
  40. SeyHaS
    Aug 13, 2005
    8
    At first the nasal singing was not benign to my ears, but with time I came to appreciate the vocals, as it was evidently talent I
  41. SeanB
    Jan 6, 2006
    8
    This is a pretty good album, but common, stop complaining about how "over-hyped" this is. They don't pay a dime for advertising and everyone attacks them. For christ sake, complain about artists who actually have no talent, like Lindsey Lohan, not about these guys. They built up a reputation, not an advertising campaign financed by some mega-corporation!
  42. SeamusS
    Jan 6, 2006
    8
    It's no classic yet. At the same time, it's undenyably briliant. It shows a promise that, if they keep it up, the next album should be a classic. What's missing the most is a soul. It's tight and lyrically smart but not as moving as it could be. His voice is also an aquired taste.
  43. JohnL
    Oct 8, 2005
    8
    Over-hyped, but still an excellent album. The opening track is insipid and really irritating, but the rest is strong stuff. The vocals are probably an acquired taste, more eccentric, more like Tom Verlaine than David Byrne, IMO, but I love Television. Probably one of the year's best.
  44. roba
    Jul 7, 2005
    8
    A close second to Hold Steady's SS for my second favorite album of the year (so far). I've listened to the album over and over, and still am a bit baffled as to what it is I like so much about the album. All I know is that it sounds great. Spot the influence is easy (tho they deny knowing who most of their so-called influences even are), yet they still sound original. Download A close second to Hold Steady's SS for my second favorite album of the year (so far). I've listened to the album over and over, and still am a bit baffled as to what it is I like so much about the album. All I know is that it sounds great. Spot the influence is easy (tho they deny knowing who most of their so-called influences even are), yet they still sound original. Download "Home on Ice" from their website and you'll order the album within an hour.… Expand
  45. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    8
    Occasionally falters, but mostly soars. Many tracks will make you want to follow the album's titular instructions.
  46. 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
  47. 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.
  48. 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
  49. carol
    Aug 15, 2005
    7
    CYHSY isn't the ultimate 2005 masterpiece as a lot of critics say. the "deja-vu" feeling appears once and again, the band needs define their personality... instead, we can enjoy some of the funniest songs of the year... clap hands, yeah!
  50. AlexP
    Mar 9, 2006
    7
    Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Yeah Yeah For Cutie. I got this CD in Vancouver and the punky-quirky clerk said
  51. Hein
    Apr 30, 2006
    7
    Good record but way overratted! Vive The Velvet Underground!!
  52. BrendanP
    Jul 30, 2005
    7
    overrated
  53. PatS.
    Jul 5, 2005
    7
    I want to marry Loz. Pitchfork is pretentious: take THAT!
  54. MusicMaven
    Aug 18, 2005
    7
    It's a very promising debut -- perhaps getting extra praise because it was self-recorded and released. It's nice to discover art unmolested by corporate greed. But the muffled production hurts the songs. And the weaker songs fail to overcome the lead singer's acquired-taste, Michael Stipe-mumbling meets David Byrne-chirping delivery. Still, the overall strength of the songs It's a very promising debut -- perhaps getting extra praise because it was self-recorded and released. It's nice to discover art unmolested by corporate greed. But the muffled production hurts the songs. And the weaker songs fail to overcome the lead singer's acquired-taste, Michael Stipe-mumbling meets David Byrne-chirping delivery. Still, the overall strength of the songs bodes well for the future. CYHSY is a band that is capable of making a truly classic album. This, however, is not it.… Expand
  55. 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
  56. 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.
  57. 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...
  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 »