Albums to watch

Hysterical

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Hysterical

Third album from the Brooklyn indie rock five-piece produced by John Congleton (The Walkmen, Modest Mouse, Polyphonic Spree)

ADM rating[?]

6.5

Label
V2 Coop
UK Release date
12/09/2011
US Release date
20/09/2011
  1. 9.0 |   FasterLouder

    What a stunning resurrection for a band that has lay dormant for four years
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  2. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    It may be anthemic and slick, but it never feels dishonest, instead sounding as if the band has finally decided which direction to take
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  3. 8.0 |   Uncut

    After a fair-to-middling second album they took a self-imposed break before returning with this excellent effort. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   Clash

    An album that is both jubilant and disarmingly vulnerable
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  5. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    Marks a significant return to form and fortune
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  6. 8.0 |   State

    Reinvented somewhat and standing firm on new ground CYHSY’s Hysterical is smart, super addictive and it pulses along effortlessly. Their third and best comes highly recommended
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  7. 8.0 |   A.V. Club

    A bright, pithy record stuffed with delicious tunes, not only in the vocals but both guitars and (particularly) the keyboards, and generally all at the same time
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  8. 7.0 |   NME

    A comeback as irrationally happy-inducing as its title suggests
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  9. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Confident songs festooned with shiny hooks
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  10. 7.0 |   Paste Magazine

    Hysterical definitely boasts more strong moments than weak
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  11. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Is Hysterical radio-friendly? Yes. Is it a bit of a letdown after a five-year wait? Maybe. But is it boring? Absolutely not
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  12. 7.0 |   BBC

    There will be something here to enjoy; though whether it will fade fondly into your memory is doubtful
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  13. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    You can still hear the raw, delirious emotion that made Clap Your Hands Say Yeah a band to pay attention to in the first place
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  14. 6.2 |   Beats Per Minute

    At their best the band draw back the quirky almost carefree sound to their music
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  15. 6.0 |   The Skinny

    In a stark retreat from their envelope-pushing past release, Hysterical finds the quintet wholly embracing their pop persona
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  16. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Alec Ounsworth has ditched the fingernails-down-a-blackboard yelping, and actually learned to sing
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  17. 6.0 |   Q

    Sounds like an unabashed bid for mainstream success. Print edition only

  18. 6.0 |   Mojo

    It's no great leap forward, but it is a decent return on the band's early promise. Print edition only

  19. 6.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Ultimately, where Clap Your Hands Say Yeah demanded neck hairs stand to attention, Hysteria – much like Some Loud Thunder – seldom even gets close
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  20. 6.0 |   Rave Magazine

    A so-so album
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  21. 5.6 |   Pitchfork

    Hysterical feels self-conscious from the moment you press play
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  22. 5.0 |   Spin

    An overly gauzy, booming-echo epic that doesn't leave much trace after it's over
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  23. 5.0 |   AU Review

    For a band who were once weird in their own effortless and unique way, it’s quite disappointing
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  24. 5.0 |   A.V. Club

    CYHSY has reeled back the infectious madness, softening the edges once made so acute by pinwheeling guitars, buoyant bass, and danceable rhythms
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  25. 5.0 |   DIY

    It's not all bad. Some of it's not bad at all, occasionally it even flashes into life. It's just disheartening to see so much promise squandered. This record won't make you angry, just disappointed
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  26. 4.5 |   Bowlegs

    It seems the band have mislaid the ingredients that made them so endearing
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  27. 4.0 |   The Observer

    A lack of killer hooks means there's precious little to get excited about here
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