The Yaks were established in 2005 by drummer Steve Glover and songwriter/guitarist Dave Lawson after recording for several years under the name "Fiction" and having been the rhythm section for the Irradicats. "Idea" is their seventh album, which tackles the tension of integrating music as expression of sentiment and as entertainment. Earlier albums like "Yak in the Day" and "In Vain" were largely earnest lyrical statements, while "Slap," "Talk Amongst Yourself," and "Figment of Sound" presumed audiences to be disinterested in much besides superficial songs of attraction and infatuation. With 2011's "Why Why Why" and now "Idea," The Yaks have emphasized honest articulation without sacrificing attention to casual listener sensibilities. Sonically, the guitar-driven band dabbles in indie-flavored hybrids of pop, rock, funk, folk, reggae, blues, and Latin influences. This makes it impossible to describing the band's sound succinctly without being grossly inaccurate. Guitarist Dave Lawson handles overdubs of bass, keyboards, and other additional instruments. However, it's the multiple layers in the vocal arrangements that perhaps best define The Yaks' overall sound. A typical Yaks mixing/editing session usually involves elimination of vocal layers since the recordings usually average two to three times the number of vocal parts more than what the listener hears on the completed album. Although The Yaks have always been more of a studio band than a live band, they perform when asked and augment their stage band with additional musicians. Unsurprisingly, The Yaks' live sound is distinguished by the fact that there can only be one Steve Glover and only one Dave Lawson on stage at a time.