Is Karen O to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs what Billy Corgan is to the Pumpkins? I think the answer is yes.
No matter how you try to change the sound, or the song writing angle of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O’s voice is the key to retaining the underlying essence of the band. Looking at the varying success of other bands who have survived over the years, the only ones that are still doing well are the ones who keep refreshing their songs, tweaking them a little, but still enabling them to be recognised by their die-hard fans. Of course, at the same time, winning new ones over. Radiohead is a fine example.
Back with their third studio album, the NY trio have decided to swap their amps for synthesizers, angst for pop. Thankfully, they haven’t gone all totally indie-disco-nu-rave on us, but ‘It’s Blitz‘ sounds like an art punk record given a slightly more upbeat, dance-y facelift (Art Punk as a genre was derived from noise rock and no wave bands such as Sonic Youth).
Definitely more accessible to a wider audience now, songs like ‘Soft Shock’, ‘Heads will Roll’ and ‘Zero’ feature that new synth-driven sound. “Less rough round the edges, more engineered and accomplished,” were my first thoughts on the virgin listen. For those who love the raw-ness of ‘Show Your Bones‘, ‘Dull Life’ and ‘Shame and Fortune’ are the tracks to listen to.
Give a listen to ‘Hysteric’, my recommended track for the album. A mid-tempo, mellow track that reminds me so much of ‘Turn Into’ (minus the high hats). Late into the song, about 2.45, you will hear some trumpet-section work resembling TV on the Radio’s – evidence of David Sitek slick production work on the record. A little something for that stay-in rainy day, perhaps?
Heads Will Roll (DIGIRAATII Dance Til You’re Dead Remix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
We will giving out a few copies of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – It’s Blitz CD during the next Poptart party on Sat 9 May. Details of the party will be out very soon!
