Yeasayer's first and only LP, 2007's All Hour Cymbals (We Are Free), seems made for field-frolicking, flower-picking and rolling down hills until the world flips sideways. It's psychedelic folk that's taken some of that über-strong Indian cough syrup -- hence the soaring, spiritual quality of the vocal harmonies, the earthy rumble of tap drums and the synth evocative of '80s Bollywood soundtracks.
Vocalist/keyboardist Chris Keating and vocalist/guitarist Anand Wilder cultivated their pipes in a high school barbershop quartet, split up during college and reunited post-graduation, subsequently joined by bassist Ira Wolf Tuton and drummer Luke Fasano. The Brooklyn foursome first made waves with its single "2080," which offers meandering guitar and gently tumbling percussion, Bush-era allusions and an incendiary hook ("Yeah! Yeah! / We can all grab at the chance to be handsome farmers!").
Hard at work on its second album, Yeasayer hasn't done much touring this summer, but the band did play Bonnaroo in June, and when it hits Mr. Small's next Tuesday, the crew will have come fresh from Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. If all goes well in the studio, a single should pop up in October with the LP to follow in early 2010; the band promises live show-goers a sample of whatever new magic it's been conjuring, plus a hearty dose of the favorites.
Yeasayer with Ponytail and Ball of Flame Shoot Fire 8 p.m. Tue., July 21. Mr. Small's Theatre, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $12. 412-821-0472 or www.mrsmalls.com
