Yeah Yeah Yeahs
There once was a time when a bass was considered rhythmically integral in Rock. But then again, except for a few rare exceptions, bass players tend be anonymous musicians - just another mouth to feed on the road. They've become expendable.
Following in White Stripes' footsteps, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were also bass free. This leanness, with just guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase, resulted in a raw garage Rock sound. Singer Karen O's (Ozolek) vocal and stage antics made her impossible to ignore. Prone to dumping beer all over herself while performing, Karen O's style owed at least something to Wendy O. Williams and Iggy Pop. On "Date With The Night" from the group's '03 release "Fever To Tell," Karen O oscillated between control and oblivion with great effectiveness.
In '02, Yeah Yeah Yeahs released a self-title five song EP to much acclaim and hype - it was warranted. "Fever To Tell," their first full-length effort followed. Like so many bands they absorbed a variety of styles and attitudes and churned them out at will. But the overriding mood was that of an outsider blasting their way in - even if they weren't sure where "in" was.
Following extensive touring, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs issued "Show Your Bones" in '06. The next summer saw the release of the five-song EP "Is Is" containing the title track, "Rockers Too Shallow" and "Kiss Kiss."
The basic hard-charging garage appeal of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is undeniable. "Fever To Tell" is a Rocker opening with the chord-driven "Rich" and containing little gems like the aforementioned "Date With The Night" and "Black Tongue." But it was the evocative "Maps" that resonated.
Zinner and Chase provide the forward thrust while Karen O climbs over the top. The group's EP is also worth owning. The only song that drags is the last track "Our Time." The others deliver.
For bands coming off a successful album, like "Fever To Tell," there's the temptation to recreate that effort. But that usually leads to diminished results. First, the follow-up is never as good because the best ideas were used on its predecessor. Second, the public, who found the original sound so captivating, now begin to grow tired of it. A smart group will try to build on past success, not replicate it. That's exactly what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs did on "Show Your Bones."
Avoiding both the temptation to polish or gloss their sound, though they incorporate sampling and keyboards, or rough it up in an attempt to show they are still "relevant" and uncompromised, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, back off their frantic energy, especially Karen O, to deliver an intriguing album.
The set opens with the quirky but appealing "Gold Lion." Acoustic guitars are in the mix but it's the keyboards that give the song its off-kilter feel. "Way Out Fancy" is another strong track. Later on, Mysteries" proves to be a charming pop excursion while "The Sweets" plies a captivating shuffle beat.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs blast through "Is Is." "Rockers Too Shallow" nearly unravels but "Kiss Kiss" is what they do best.
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