Media

Yeasayer: "Ambling Alp (Memory Tapes Remix)" (MP3)

2:24 p.m. · November 12, 2009 · by Chris Bosman

The terrific rhythms and pop sensibilities of Yeasayer and the hazy, infectious dreambeat of Memory Tapes seem, on paper, to be a promising marriage. In execution, however, Dayve Hawk's version of Yeasayer's "Ambling Alp" is too meandering and aimless to truly engage. There's a lot of good things happening here, from the promising beginning that recontextualizes the "Stick up for yourself, son" refrain into an 80s pop manifesto, to an enjoyable guitar-driven section, to an easy-going disco beat. The problem is that none of these sections really lead anywhere, existing for a few seconds, then changing with no real transition into another section. It's too promising a pairing not to hit sometimes, but taken as a whole the track falls flat. [Pitchfork]