See Mystery Lights

YACHT, YACHT | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 4, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dfa Records
• ASIN: B002C68WPU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,262 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Jona Bechtolt-- founding member of YACHT, former member of the Blow-- is a huge talent, something that may not have been readily apparent on any of his three previous LPs. Those albums, created largely as solo endeavors, will not have prepared listeners for See Mystery Lights. Now an official partnership between Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, who performed on several songs on 2007's I Believe In You, Your Magic Is Real, YACHT finally feel like a full-fledged band with direction and vision, particularly given the added weight (or rather, levity) of Evans' influence.

The songs on See Mystery Lights-- from the bouncy, burbling you-can't-take-it-with-you screed The Afterlife (which plays like a less spastic companion piece to the Mae Shi's Run to Your Grave) to the roller rink-ready vocoder vocals of I'm In Love With a Ripper-- represent YACHT at their most poppy. It's a collection of stone jams that finds the band finally as hellbent on experimenting and expanding the boundaries of its sonic scope as it is on having fun. Built on electronic foundations-- laser effects, skittering computerized beats, and spacey synth lines (or guitar riffs that have been tuned or distorted to sound like synths)-- these new songs are giddy with creative freedom while remaining tethered in service of their melodies. The vocal melodies are bright and buoyant, but delivered (by either band member, or in unison) in a chanted, oftentimes detached monotone that plays up the repetitive lyrics' mantra-like feel and adds a welcome undercurrent of slacker cool to their otherwise sugary optimism.

See Mystery Lights also marks the first time that YACHT are recording for DFA. Normally a label-change wouldn't be notable, as it is usually less an indicator of artistic choices than it is of financial or business ones, but moving to a label with such a distinctive aesthetic may be enough for many to reconsider their work. YACHT themselves created the track Summer Song as an homage to LCD Soundsystem, and LCD/DFA leader James Murphy liked it enough to release it on his label. It's no wonder that Murphy was smitten; the track, which also appears on the full-length, echoes the deadpan vocal delivery and burbling 80s krautrock synths of his own band, as well as cowbell-and-handclap percussion ripped from the Rapture's House of Jealous Lovers, one of DFA's biggest singles. Even other tracks on the collection-- ones that weren't written specifically in homage to Murphy-- can't help but sound influenced by him. Case in point: We Have All We've Ever Wanted, with its minimalist dance beat, heavy bass, and Bechtolt's dry, talky delivery, recalls Losing My Edge, albeit with a lighthearted, anthemic chorus.

Still, while YACHT clearly share influences with Murphy's gang (Eno, Ferry, Neu!, ESG, etc.), their positive, futuristic jams actually sound most closely related to Tom Tom Club. Perhaps that's because, like Tom Tom Club's first self-titled album, which was recorded in Barbados, See Mystery Lights was recorded in a sunny, faraway locale-- in this case, far from the band's native rainy Portland, Oregon, in Marfa, Texas. The vibe of the album is relaxed and sun-soaked-- especially Psychic City (Voodoo City), which features an elastic groove built on a dubby, reggae-ish keyboard melody inspired by the bassline of Althea and Donna's Uptown Top Ranking.

Regardless of influence or intent, however, See Mystery Lights is a triumph. It's a feel-good album for an era that could use a little happiness, a sweaty collection of heady, hedonistic tunes just in time for the hottest days of the year. And the best part is that one spin of thiof this wily, sunny disc will be able to transport you back to summer vacation any day of the year. --8.5/Best New Music --Pitchfork (Rebecca Raber)

Product Description

2009 release. Yacht is a band belief system and business conducted by Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans of Marfa Texas and Portland Oregon. All people are welcome to become members of Yacht. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars YACHT you have to check them out!, November 30, 2011

By 

heatherfleur - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: See Mystery Lights (MP3 Download)

ooooh la la

I can't say that I love each and every song. but it's worth the $9 dollars they ask. dance able good party track for new years eve.

This band is awesome and you'll love most of it!

okay, to pull myself out of generalities, let me talk a bit about this album.

the standouts:

ring the bell
super-dance-able great bass and not necessarily for the devout. good party or running or hula hooping song
the afterlife
really not for the devout! compelling bass and drums, thoughtful lyrics, is that a cow bell?
i'm in love with a ripper
and if I wasn't before, I am now...but then again maybe there is just too much thinking going on...I'M IN LOVE WITH THE RIPPER!
STOP STOP THINKING....NO MORE WORDS....MORE GUITAR? OR IS IT THE KOTO?
it's boring
good for the headbangers...boring...next
psychic city
ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT SONGS EVER MADE makes jingle bells look like...hmmm...don't know but you get what I mean...anyone will really like it...your teacher, your friend, your nephew, the nerdy kid down the street
summer song
hmmm...
we've had all we've ever wanted
have we? spacial beginning...backed by the beat but i don't care about my eyes...next
don't fight the darkness
I'LL BRING THE LIGHT
you will be singing this ditty throughout your day, a nasty meeting, someone cuts you off...don't fight the darkness bring the light and the darkness...la la la

OKAY, if you are looking for something that will make you happy and will make you dance and will make you think....it's worth the price of the download.

If you want to see one of the best shows of your life...see YACHT live!

Jona, Claire, +++ Katy!, Jeffrey, + Rob - Please come back to San Francisco.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars... fabulous, fun dance album, January 9, 2010

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: See Mystery Lights (Audio CD)

I'm still cleaning up on 2009 releases I haven't had a chance to fully explore and appreaciate yet, and this album is one of them. YACHT, formed by Jona Bechtold in 2003, is now officially a duo, with the addition of vocalist Claire Evans (who had appeared on earlier YACHT releases). On top of that, YACHT moved to a new label, DFA Records (also home to LCD Soundsystem, among others).

"See Mystery Lights" (10 tracks; 45 min.) kicks off with an immediate attention-grabber, "Ring the Bell" and the stage is set for a fabulous, fun record. Danceable tune after tune follows one after another. "The Afterlife" is the most conventional, pop-like song on here. "I'm In Love With a Ripper" (2009 radio single) is an irresistable song that surely will bring out any wallflower on the dance floor. The 9 min. Medley "It's Boring/You Can Live Anywhere You Want" is interesting for about 5 min. or so, but then wears out its welcome and is the weakest track on the album for me. The second half of the album is actually the stronger half, starting off with "Summer City" (2008 single), which reminded me immediately of LCD Soundsystem. "We Have All We Ever Wanted" continues that great groove. The album is rounded out with "I'm In Love With a Ripper (Party Mix)", which may well be my favorite track on here (and reminds me of Neon Indian) and a short outro of "Psychic City" (an earlier track) but in a totally different take.

In all, a fantastic album and it surely would've made my 'best of 2009' list. I cannot wait to see these guys in concert (are you reading this, Coachella organizers?). Finally, if you wonder where you can hear this, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country, bar none.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YACHT'S best album (thus far) might just be the best of '09, September 2, 2009

By 

M. McClure "snafu714" (Ft. Lauderdale) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: See Mystery Lights (Audio CD)

Joining forces with James Murphy's DFA was a logical move for YACHT, much to the benefit of we, the listeners. YACHT'S DFA debut, "See Mystery Lights", is a strange beast to figure out upon first listen; but after further digestion it's damn near impossible not be smitten by an album this chock full o' synth-pop quirkiness from beginning to end. Now, I'm not gonna get all superlative crazy here, so I'll cut to the chase: Yes, the comparisons to Tom Tom Club are valid; however, what I don't understand is why that seems a bad thing?! Hell, I'd call that a selling point! Anyhow, check out the album for yourself. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Good night. I love you. *MUAH!* Oh, and make sure you turn off the TV before you go to sleep. Thanks.