Three years since their last release and a slew of lineup changes, Philadelphia-based alt-rockers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah brings us Only Run. For those who haven’t heard of the band before, or far more likely have heard their well-known unique name but never its music – slightly organised noise is really what you can expect. That sounds like a diss, but it is and it isn’t. While yes many times on this record in particular there does seem to be just a lot of distortion, feedback and abstract vocals all slapped together without much structure, often the result can be aurally pleasing.
Little Moments is one of those times all this “un-cohesive” noise comes together with good effect. It starts off very much like ‘80s disco and evolves into a lyrically urgent affair with striking piano parts. Just as the disc feels like it’s on the up, there’s a very unfortunate and obscure intro on the next/title-track Only Run. The song seems like it’s going to go somewhere but fails to ever fire.
The album has its moments, such as the atmospheric Your Advice and spacey opener As Always. However, on the whole this album really is mish mash and not quite what you’d expect after a three year wait between drinks. There are songs to be enjoyed from this release yet they strangely sound alone when plucked away from the pack and listened to on their own. Somewhat ironically you do really need to listen to the album in its entirety despite the fact there’s some definite filler.
BY ALEXANDER CROWDEN
Best Track: Little Moments
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In A Word: Separated
