When Yellow Ostrich released “The Mistress” in 2010, they weren’t so much a band as the brainchild of singer/guitarist Alex Schaaf. For that work, he looped, wrote and recorded everything himself. Now, for the group’s sophomore effort, he enlisted drummer Michael Tapper and multi-instrumentalist Jon Natchez to round out the line-up.

The result is “Strange Land,” a poppy garage rock-sounding record with strong but smooth vocals and backing music that varies between bouncing, driving and restrained.

The album is out today via Barsuk. Check out a stream plus some tour dates below.

March
6 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Beachland Tavern #
7 – Pontiac, Mich. @ The Pike Room at The Crofoot #
8 – Chicago, Ill. @ Empty Bottle #
9 – Madison, Wis. @ Der Rathskeller &
10 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ 7th St Entry #
11 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Cactus Club #
15-19 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
19 – Tucson, Ariz. @ Solar Culture
20 – San Diego, Calif. @ Soda Bar
21 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Bootleg Theatre
23 – San Francisco, Calif @ Bottom of the Hill @
24 – Arcata, Calif. @ The Depot at Humboldt State
26 – Portland, Ore. @ Mississippi Studios %
27 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Media Club %
29 – Nampa, Idaho @ Flying M Coffee %
30 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court %
31 – Denver, Colo. @ Hi Dive %

April
2 – Omaha, Neb. @ The Waiting Room %
10 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Johnny Brenda’s ^
11 – Washington, D.C. @ Black Cat Backstage ^
12 – New York, N.Y. @ Mercury Lounge ^

May
27 – George, Wash. @ Sasquatch Music Festival

- # = with 1,2,3
- & = with 1,2,3 and Lower Dens
- @ = with Lost in the Trees
- % = with Howler
- ^ = with TEEN

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