Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Everything about this record screams enthusiasm, from the cheery directive in the band name, to the colorful acrobats climbing all over the cover, to the giddy David Byrne-on-Lithium indie pop melodies. It's easy to see (and hear) how the buzz on this self-released disc quickly translated into critical acclaim and D.I.Y. sales.

Since the indie-rock story of the year has been compared to every vaguely appropriate band you can think of as well as some you can't and also Wilco, I'm not the first to say Feelies. But Feelies it is. What sticks out right off is a drive that can't be taught or approximated. They're on top of a drone that crests over atmospheric interludes and hooks-are-for-squares songwriting even though they're glorious twice--on "Over and Over Again (Lost and Found)," which gradually elaborates a beyond-trebly guitar?? figure that could easily be played on a triangle, and the climactic "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood," which claims it's about child stars and is. It's also about Iraq. That's what indie obliqueness is for. (Grade - A-)