When the Yeah Yeah Yeahs arrived in 2003 with "Fever to Tell," the band's dirty art punk style helped move rock 'n roll from the trendy, swank The Strokes to deadlier, more subversive territories. They did it rashly - with singer Karen O's vicious power yelp, Nick Zinner's icy, gigantic guitar sound and a rhythm section that felt as if it were constantly veering off the tracks. They could spew punk rock daggers -making them a very good band -- but Karen O proved she could trade in sweet, vulnerable sentimentality with "Maps," their most popular song to date. And that made them great.
They traded all that away on "It's Blitz," the band's third full-length release.
Leaked prematurely to the web months ago, "It's Blitz" finds Yeah Yeah Yeahs abandoning the raw, guitar-driven punk rock sound that helped make them the face of the New York City art punk scene for a more demure, synth driven approach.
It's equally gorgeous and boring. At times, "It's Blitz" manages to recapture some of the brilliance of the band's previous work - particularly, "Soft Shock" and "Hysteric," but also the slow-burning "Skeletons." These songs are remarkably effective and affecting, circumventing the natural weakness of synthesizers to create a rich, lively effect.
During other moments, the band sounds like it has arrived too late - two to three years after this style has faded from coolness - and sounds oddly out of place. This would have been a classic record three years ago. Now, it remains an entertaining curiosity. "It's Blitz" is neither important nor relevant, but in the end it's engaging and enjoyable.
One needs to applaud the band for dramatically reworking its sound so early in its career. After two acclaimed, even revered albums, the band has taken a risk with a recording that challenges its fans and gambles with the goodwill they've got stored in reserves.
And that can be exhilarating. When "It's Blitz" gathers steam, particularly on the swinging "Dull Life," Karen O's hysterical, unhinged singing comes to life, giving the record the stern kick in the ass it deserves. "Dull Life" represents an easy link between the band's early period, and this new beginning.
Where Yeah Yeah Yeahs go from here remains a mystery. But if "It's Blitz" is any indication, the band will continue challenging its fans and asserting its place in the indie rock scene. That's a good thing.
Hot Track review of the week
Phoenix - "Lisztomania" - They're playing "Saturday Night Live" this weekend and all indications suggest that the French band is primed for a big breakthrough. If that's the case, "Lisztomania" is the vessel that will carry them to the "Grey's Anatomy" soundtrack. It's a killer slice of awesome pie - full of dancing synth and pianos, cutting and diving guitar lines, and a lyrical hook that would slay a barbarian. Not unlike last year's big indie hit, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix trades in ultra-catchy hipness, but they've managed to craft something more authentic than Vampire Weekend. And it's not even the first single.
Check out it out at myspace.com/wearephoenix
Hot shows in the next two weeks:
Bess Rogers, Either/Or, Allie Moss, Dave Elwert and Joel Levi (quirky, off-kilter singer/songwriters)
7 p.m. April 7 at Village Green Records
We Are Hex (heavy, crunching synth-driven art punk)
5 p.m. April 9 at Village Green Records
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Everything, Now! and The Bears of Blue River (Country blues, Bowie-esque indie rock and folk, respectively. This should be a fantastic show.)
10 p.m. April 11 at Doc's Music Hall (downtown)
Write to Matt at hipster.is.the.new.hippie@gmail.com
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