Yellow Ostrich "Cosmos"

 

Decided to give this a sampling after reading a glowing review of the NYC-based band's third full-length.  Hmmmm, an American band with two previous records unbeknownst to me?  That's an 0-2 count right there.  Still, I put the first couple of tracks through a 90-second examination and was pleasantly surprised.  What I eventually wound up with is my "Discovery Of The Year"...so far.




When you watch the video, notice where the band is playing.  That's their Brooklyn practice space where the singer/guitarist (the band was originally his solo project) holed up for nine months before working on this album.  No windows!  He synthetically adjusted the room's lighting to simulate day and night and studied the galaxy and distinguished astronomers' work (Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" became the album's title).  Ironic, huh?  The band's drummer had a related experience as he sailed for a month from Mexico to Hawaii.  Closed up in a room versus out in the open?  Inspiration strikes in many ways and these extremes have led to 36 minutes of brilliance.  Mostly recorded in that same tiny practice space, you bring in knob-spinners who've worked with Death Cab For Cutie, Sparklehorse, Radiohead and the Pixies and you get a sonic gem for the ears.  The notes I made said, "This is what Beck would be like if he had a pulse again" and "my expectations for the Gotye album finally arrived in this recording."



Trust me, I'm keeping an eye out for a live date close by and I eagerly await the next release.