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Written
by Laura Dodero, posted by blog admin
Yam
Haus doesn’t waste listener’s time. They lead off their debut full length Stargazer with the title song and it’s
certain to make a deep impression on both hardcore and casual music fans alike.
Lars Pruitt will, naturally, garner much of the attention thanks to his
position as the band’s singer, but rarely does a young unit emerge so polished
and well rounded as Yam Haus. Wisconsin natives with a strong following in the
Minneapolis, Minnesota area, the four band members first met and began playing
together during their high school years and that familiarity with one another’s
style and skills informs each of the album’s thirteen songs. The synthesizer
fanfare opening “West Coast” mixes well with an intensely physical rhythm and
engaging vocal melody. It’s as well rounded of a band performance you’ll hear
from anyone and all the more impressive considering the band’s youth. There’s
some discreet backing vocals dropped in during the song that enhances Pruitt’s
charismatic touch.
Keyboards
open “Kingdom” as well, but they occupy mix space in a song that’s more
considered and patient than the energy bubbling over throughout the entirety of
the preceding cut. Pruitt takes his voice in a different direction here,
incorporating more higher register vocals into the mix, and guitarist Seth Blum
lays some colorful fills around the drumming and synthesizer riffing. It’s one
of the album’s best choruses as well. “Right Now, Forever” begins with an
improbably retro slant and segues into minimalist acoustic guitar work. This is
an excellent change of pace for Stargazer
and the spectral piano makes it that much more appealing for listeners. Yam
Haus, over the space of only a few songs, prove themselves capable of offering
a lot of variety for serious and casual music listeners alike.
The
title song’s reprise “You Need Love” is a much more stylized take on the
opener’s straight forward style, heavier on electronica rather relying so much
on the slashing guitar chords of “Stargazer”. The themes are much the same,
however, just approached from a different angle than before. “Bad News” is an
improbably successful piece of light soul/funk with a high pop sheen and
Pruitt’s vocal style really stands out here. It’s one of the most commercially
minded songs included on the album, but also serves notice that Yam Haus is
capable of surprising listeners in a variety of ways. “Something Better” moves
the band in the direction of “Right Now, Forever” with another emotionally
affecting and delicately wrought acoustic track abandoning the electronic
tendencies prevalent throughout much of the album. It closes Stargazer on a thoughtful note and in a
way indicative of Yam Haus’ musical diversity. They aren’t content with
pursuing one line of attack and the variety they bring to bear makes this an
even richer listening experience.
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