Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Show Your Bones
Interscope
2006
Grade: A-
I'm not quite sure what the hell "art punk" means or who else falls in that category, but Interscope gave the Yeah Yeah Yeahs the grungey cultural edge and vague hip sounding genre name it needed to blow up. 2003 came and went and Fever to Tell landed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the hearts of hipsters and the MTV2 (back when that was actually music television too) viewing public alike. But unlike most hype-crazed bands (a la the Strokes), the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead by Karen O, pushed for the artistic freedom that made their sound so unique to a major label debut. I listened to it on repeat for years, yet my shrill screaming never became quite as endearing as that of the precious Miss O. 2006 rolled around, and I dreaded the release that could make or break my passionate crush (dare I say obsession) with the band.
We have to remember that this band had fans before they had an album. Now coming into their sophomoric effort they have millions of fans AND a certified gold album under their belts. So how would fame treat them? What would this new sound be like? Well it certainly wasn't going to be "art punk." I grabbed the album cynically expecting the worse. And the unfamiliar poppy riffs, un-raw voice, lack of guitar feedback, produced lush instrumentals saddened me a little bit. It almost felt drained of the volatile life and energy I associated with the YYYs. But it took me a while to realize this was a much more grown up band. Karen O didn't have drama to scream and shout about, but more personal issues about touring and heartbreak to explore in her own way.
And so, while the reviewers tore Show Your Bones up but could not deny its enjoyable tunes, I cultured a new found love for the YYYs. It was different, sure. But it certainly didn't sound like any other Interscope record. And it certainly did not sound like Fever to Tell. And within a couple weeks I was listening to it in my car, while I was working, and singing along to the catchy and much more accessible songs Show Your Bones had to offer.
If you are scared to play your music loud, you are not going to enjoy this album- that is for sure. It is meant to be heart stopping and core shakingly loud in its slow builds which climax in a different more controlled kind of intensity. But if you can take a slow bass line and like a little groove to your rock, "Phenomena" and "Gold Lion" are certainly going to steal your heart. This album goes a lot of places and I think individual songs stand out much more than they did on Fever to Tell. And while I find that album more cohesive and original, I think this album is daring and different. And by not fitting what we expect from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and toning it down- one can view that as selling out, or view it as a big leap in artistic vision.
And perhaps I compensate for the shrill vocals many fans seem to miss by causing this shrill ringing in my ears from listening to this album too loud. But I just can't seem to get enough of it. So for that, I shall pass my judgment on the direction of the YYYs (the politics of which seem to be souring reviews) until I hear a third release. I'll enjoy these two equally in the meantime, but let's just hope that wait won't be another three years.
Listen if you Like: Sleater Kinney, Blondie, Bikini Kill, the White Stripes
Don't Listen if you Like: "Art Punk"
WATCH: 'Gold Lion'
By Kelseytron