Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ the Middle East, Cambridge MA

November 16th, 2007 - by Eddie

Boston, Indie, Location, Reviews, Shows

*The greatest encore chant for a band ever?

The exuberant circus rock of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah inspired dancing from bearded men, one hipster to crowd surf, and an encore chant that produced smiles from the band (though I have to think a lot of fans have clapped their hands and yelled yeah to get them back out).

This was a great show, despite the warnings I received from one “Uncle John.”

“Man, the last time I saw them, they didn’t look like they cared about being on stage…but that was a couple of years ago so I’m sure they’re fine now.”

True, they do produce a strange sort of awkwardness on stage, mostly from lead singer Alec Ounsworth, who resembled a pint-sized Borat saying “thank you” to the crowd in a seemingly weird accent.

Then again, something like that is expected from this band with long moniker and fuzzy indie-pop songs about, well, being weird. For them to come out and play it somewhat straight would be an incredible letdown.

And these are loyal, dedicated and insane fans. The sold-out crowd packed into the balmy Downstairs room of the Middle East and spent most of the time singing and dancing. And not the shifting the weight side-to-side dancing. This was full on, the-music-has-control-over-my-body, eyes closed and head aimed to the heavens dancing.

This is rock at its most primal and pure. And you get the impression that the band still isn’t sure why people like them.

The tour is in support of Some Loud Thunder, which was released earlier this year (I think in January) and has been an indie favorite ever since.

I bought the album purely on the strength of “Underwater (You and Me)” (which they closed with. Video below) and with all the praise I read about them in places like My Old Kentucky Blog and Audiovant (though that last one hasn’t been active in a while. C’mon man, bring it back).

Just like the album, the show was a pleasant surprise. It was as if all the indie-music pretension in the world was barred from entering the room, allowing people to be enraptured by the crazy sounds and antics of the band.

Though, now that I think of it, there was a moment when Uncle John’s comment somewhat rang true. Ounsworth tried to thank the opening bands and not really caring that he was saying their names wrong. It was funny, but also reveals that maybe Ounsworth and company are still surprised they even have a fanbase.

If you’re interested in witnessing the madness yourself, get your tickets quick. Most shows have already sold out.

Videos from the show

“Underwater (You and Me)”

“Under the Tidal Wave of Young Blood”

“Yankee Go Home”

“Some Loud Thunder”