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. 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
  2. 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)
  3. 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
  4. PatK.
    Aug 30, 2008
    10
    Peter W You have no heart or soul... his voice is perfect for this music/album. This CD is AMAZING.
  5. LucM.
    Jun 14, 2008
    5
    2 giant tunes, but the rest is really boring.
  6. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    CYHSY is an immaculate album.
  7. 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
  8. peterw
    Aug 8, 2007
    3
    great music but cursed by the familiar indie music problem - an appauling singer. i dont usually mind if soemone cant sing but this guy seems to want to rub your nose in it until you tear to CD in half. if they could get a singer less influenced by, i dunno, that pretentious twat from pere ubu, they could be on a winner. as it stands id give it 8 for d music and zero for d vocals.
  9. 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
  10. Jeff
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    You get used the initially abrasive vocals, and the melodies hook you. It is a very good cd.
  11. 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!
  12. scafy
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    very good album, very good band, very good vocal and music! yeah
  13. sparkybear
    Jan 25, 2007
    10
    Yay!
  14. 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 ;)
  15. jesuschrist
    Jan 5, 2007
    10
    very good. One of the best bands of the century
  16. ChrisR
    Dec 1, 2006
    10
    A completely upbeat off-center release. The singer doesn't have the best voice but is a fantastic vocalist. The music hooked me instantly and hasn't let me go since. I hear so many influences wrapped into a nice neatly wrapped package. Namely Joy division, Velvet Underground, Talking Heads and Arcade Fire. All bands I love.
  17. jonathano
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    I love every song that they have on that cd!
  18. ScottV
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    classic indie rock, a must listen.
  19. Mars88
    Sep 24, 2006
    10
    They sound alot like wolf parade, but that doesn't make them any less amazing.
  20. BobG
    Sep 7, 2006
    9
    Thumb up.
  21. MihaiV
    Sep 4, 2006
    9
    It took me almost a year to get into it, but now I'm hooked.
  22. 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.
  23. 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...
  24. sdaasdad
    Aug 4, 2006
    10
    is the best
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. DavidH
    May 5, 2006
    10
    In my humble opinion, the best album I've heard in years.
  28. Hein
    Apr 30, 2006
    7
    Good record but way overratted! Vive The Velvet Underground!!
  29. leop
    Apr 15, 2006
    10
    something to be cherished .. a hallmark of independent music.
  30. 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
  31. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    8
    Occasionally falters, but mostly soars. Many tracks will make you want to follow the album's titular instructions.
  32. Dave
    Mar 4, 2006
    10
    Love it!
  33. MikeL
    Feb 28, 2006
    10
    Wonderful. Talking heads goes to the circus.
  34. ligerk
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    stop thinking!! just feel it! that's it!!
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. keving
    Jan 22, 2006
    10
    brilliant sound, they deserve a record deal!
  38. LizziS
    Jan 18, 2006
    10
    Bloody brilliant album, everyone should own it.
  39. BethanneO
    Jan 14, 2006
    4
    Quirkiness has too often been confused with brilliance. Very often the two go hand in hand but not in this case. How this mediocre-at-best album has been so widely acclaimed i can not understand. The songs are consistently weak. The vocal tone is interesting but it means nothing when the melodies are so miserable. i do believe that the band, if presented with a decent song to flesh out, Quirkiness has too often been confused with brilliance. Very often the two go hand in hand but not in this case. How this mediocre-at-best album has been so widely acclaimed i can not understand. The songs are consistently weak. The vocal tone is interesting but it means nothing when the melodies are so miserable. i do believe that the band, if presented with a decent song to flesh out, would do a creative and interesting job at doing so. Unfortunately, they haven't given themselves a chance to attempt that feat yet. save your money.… Expand
  40. PedroL
    Jan 14, 2006
    9
    All song are great! (well... except #1 :P).
  41. tommym
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    the best albumi have heard for quite while
  42. mavitia
    Jan 7, 2006
    10
    it's 522 am but i'm up, staring at my computer screen. poorly articluting random ideas and listening to them because something in their sound resonates with something i'm trying to get in touch with. thanks guys
  43. 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!
  44. 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.
  45. 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
  46. xavierd
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    Surprise of the year 2005. Here's a classic from a to z.
  47. 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.
  48. 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
  49. 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!
  50. jimh
    Dec 20, 2005
    5
    They suck live. I also think this album is mediocre at best. The vocals are extremely weak and annoying. The music is good but you can't polish a turd now can you?
  51. 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.
  52. BenecioZ
    Dec 9, 2005
    9
    By far the best song heard all year, The skin of my yellow country teeth, simply awesome
  53. MichaelR
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    Checking pitchfork, as I'm prone to do, I came across the description of this singer as the lead singe of Interpol warbling through Jeff Mangum's throat. After th initial burst of indignation at Neutral Milk Hotel being dragged into another review of a band they (most likely) had nothing in common with, I started to hunt for the album. Ifinally got it, put it to play in the Checking pitchfork, as I'm prone to do, I came across the description of this singer as the lead singe of Interpol warbling through Jeff Mangum's throat. After th initial burst of indignation at Neutral Milk Hotel being dragged into another review of a band they (most likely) had nothing in common with, I started to hunt for the album. Ifinally got it, put it to play in the background as I started my homework. I was floored. I would be going to class emptyhanded, it seemed. The first song immediately lets you know what's going on. You are, in fact, front row at a circus. It's the kind of opening track that's so weird you just know whatever follows wil be good, quirky enough that the simplicity and lack of real musical innovation seem completyely irrelevant. It invites you to fall in love, or at least sink into deep relaxation as the gypsies steal your wallet. After this the rest of the album gleefully floats by, fulfilling all the promises he first song made. Cryptic lyrics, twangy guitars, slow melodies, driving beats, child stars. The music becomes everything they want it to be as it seemlessly blends more influences than they may even know they had (Talking Heads, David Bowie, and Modest Mouse, just to name a few). Of course, the critics are right. Lead singer Ounsworth can't sing at all, at the lyrics are gibberish, not even the good playful kind. luckily, the two cancel each other out. Rather than getting bogged down in lyrics they don't need, the musical backing blasts through and Ounsworth Warbles on top, happy to use his voice as oddly tuned accompaniment rather than a source of insightful lyrics. The stand outs are there. "Over and Over Again (Lost and Found)" throws in the synthesizer and reels in the vocals ever so slightly to show you the best song the Talking Heads never recorded. "The Skin of My Yellow Country teeth" gives a fuzzy rendition of arcade theme music to introduce the driving drums and plucky guitar of an exciting western rock single. "Upon This Tidal wave of Young Blood" starts with some unassuming accoustic guitarthat leave you unprepared for the frantic album finale that reminds you (intentionally?) of the Unicorns "Child Star", repeating one line with all the urgency he can muster until the album abruptly fades out. The first listen confused and surprised me, and the following replays entranced me. This is easily the best new album I've heard this year.… Expand
  54. 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.
  55. 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.… Collapse
  56. 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.
  57. 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 !
  58. peegee
    Dec 1, 2005
    9
    i initially thought the singer would turn me off to the album however, all of it together, it ends up being quite beautiful.
  59. MaxS
    Nov 30, 2005
    10
    This album is kicka$$ buy it now
  60. FiskeS
    Nov 29, 2005
    10
    Amazing.... Great album.
  61. PlatypusQuest
    Nov 26, 2005
    6
    The music is wonderful, but the vocals are undeniably terrible - and this is coming from someone who can get past the Grandmother's voice on the new Fiery Furnaces album. With a different vocalist, this album would be extraordinary - as is, it just leaves me thinking about what could have been. 6/10.
  62. 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
  63. BrianG
    Nov 21, 2005
    10
    to quote the Guinness guys: Brilliant!
  64. WillyP
    Nov 18, 2005
    4
    Love the music, but the singer, yeeek! It's like being trapped in a room with an aggressive mentally handicapped person. And live, it sounds even worse.
  65. KjetilG
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    Best CD of 2005
  66. TomasS
    Nov 17, 2005
    4
    One of the few things I appreciate about this band is that they put out their album themselves and got heard - and even acclaimed. It's just that this is not the right band. Idle lyrics, grating vocals, promising but never really rewarding moments. I tried to like this album, but I couldn't. If you want to hear the real discovery of 2005, try Wolf Parade. They, unlike CYHSY, One of the few things I appreciate about this band is that they put out their album themselves and got heard - and even acclaimed. It's just that this is not the right band. Idle lyrics, grating vocals, promising but never really rewarding moments. I tried to like this album, but I couldn't. If you want to hear the real discovery of 2005, try Wolf Parade. They, unlike CYHSY, deserve the hype.… Expand
  67. SeanW
    Nov 15, 2005
    0
    Crap your hands shove it down your throat.
  68. Dan
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Listen to the reviews above, not the backlash.
  69. BobbyG
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    My favorite for the year. Enchanting.
  70. RossJ
    Nov 10, 2005
    9
    A sweet, cathartic and life affirming album.
  71. AdrieC
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    help! I can't stop playing this cd!
  72. MattM
    Nov 1, 2005
    10
    The best, most passionate, and most refreshing record in years.
  73. 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.
  74. JimM
    Oct 28, 2005
    4
    Can you say "over hyped"?! If you're over-hyped and you know, clap your hands! Love the music, can't stand the nasal singing. Maybe I can process it and remove the vocals. Underwhelming! But promising!
  75. 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
  76. jimo
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    The best new band to come along in 20 years.
  77. FoodwadMcGee
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    This album eats food, and it is the best eater of food I've seen all year.
  78. BillyL
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    This album is single handedly revolutionizing the way people think about indie bands!
  79. dugdug
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    This album knocks it out of the park. It is impossible to overhype it. I've had it for a month now and I still can't go three days without listening to it.
  80. camdenl
    Oct 22, 2005
    9
    pretty cool how they sold the copies themselves through word of mouth. this album gets more intriguing with each listen
  81. 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?).
  82. 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.
  83. JustinR
    Oct 9, 2005
    1
    Overhyped. Verrrrrrry overhyped.
  84. 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.
  85. erin
    Oct 7, 2005
    9
    i listen againandagainandagainandagain
  86. DrewK
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    Based on the user reviews this seems to be a "love it or hate it" album. But after repeated listens I've got to wonder how many of the bad reviews are more a product of the current "indie backlash" trend than any qualms with the music itself. After you get past the wretched first track, there isn't a single weak spot on the album. Frankly, this type of consistency is astounding Based on the user reviews this seems to be a "love it or hate it" album. But after repeated listens I've got to wonder how many of the bad reviews are more a product of the current "indie backlash" trend than any qualms with the music itself. After you get past the wretched first track, there isn't a single weak spot on the album. Frankly, this type of consistency is astounding from a debut LP. If you like good music and you can adapt to a "unique" vocalist then you will probably end up loving this CD. CYHSY's sound is akin to what you'd get if you threw the Talking Heads, Radiohead and Modest Mouse into a blender with an E pill. The best thing about it is that despite being instantaneously listenable/catchy/accessible, it still actually grows on you.… Expand
  87. FrancesA
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    I love this band. Such a fresh, new sound, makes you want to get up and groove!
  88. JoshB
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    An amazing debut from an amazing band. See them live, it's worth it. They rock so much. You will absolutely be blown away.
  89. matt
    Sep 30, 2005
    10
    one of the most fun and unique records out this year. some elements of talking heads but a great combo of smiths like melodies, new orderish bass and cure-esque keyboards. Skin of my yellow country teeth is my fav trak.. stays in your head so hook laden with great souds from indie producer Adam Lasus
  90. 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.
  91. DavidG
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    Damn fine debut
  92. 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.
  93. 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
  94. 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.
  95. cleopatraj
    Sep 28, 2005
    3
    Amen Jefferson L!
  96. TheRapture
    Sep 27, 2005
    4
    Quite simple really: overrated.
  97. CP
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable. They are even better live.
  98. Christ
    Sep 25, 2005
    5
    A thoroughly predictable and musically generic album, i don't get the (underserved) hype, these guys are an average indie rock band with a singer who has listened to too much Talking Heads but pretends like he's never heard them.
  99. 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
  100. JeffersonL.
    Sep 25, 2005
    2
    Let's review the formula for a successful new release in the early 00s. Indie cred? Check. Gushing prasie from Pitchfork? Check. Pretentious "we're wacky... but still sensitive!" lyrics? Check. Based out of Brooklyn, NY? Check. Danceable rhythms, usually consisting of a repetitive bass drum downbeat paired with a tambourine? Check. Impossible to name drop without also mentioning Let's review the formula for a successful new release in the early 00s. Indie cred? Check. Gushing prasie from Pitchfork? Check. Pretentious "we're wacky... but still sensitive!" lyrics? Check. Based out of Brooklyn, NY? Check. Danceable rhythms, usually consisting of a repetitive bass drum downbeat paired with a tambourine? Check. Impossible to name drop without also mentioning Talking Heads or Television? Check. Vocals that would make Helen Keller cringe ("but they don't bother me because I TOTALLY get it")? Check. Ladies and gentlemen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! I wanted to like this album, I swear. I think it's wonderful that the band has yet to sign a huge record contract (hence the "2" rating). I'm sure the guys are nice people and all. I just hope they are ready for the overexposure backlash - here's the first taste, fellows. This is quite possibly the most overrated band since The Rapture. Remember them? Me neither.… Expand
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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

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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.
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  2. Pitchfork
    90
    The record is consistently, remarkably strong.
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  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.
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