Firstly, let me apologise for the lack of proper blogging around here recently, I've been rather busy. But I'll be back in the saddle in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are some random thoughts I managed to squeeze in...Pre-amble: I've talked on this blog before of my appreciation for the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. I've always been really impressed by them, and the unique pop madness that they manage to pull off. But just like Franz Ferdinand they have reached third album time, when the people who used to ape their every move are now all blase, and they've got to pull something out the bag to keep people interested. I'll think they'll manage it, but we'll see
Track 1 (Zero): It begins with pretty dynamic synths, drum machines and Karen emoting away over the top. In fact it sounds like the entire thing was created synthetically, apart from the singing of course. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it's just that Nick Zinner's an amazing guitarist so he won't be wasted. I suppose Johnny Greenwood on keyboards didn't make Kid A a bad record, so...
Track 2 (Heads Will Roll): It sounds like an early 90's rave record at the beginning. This too is a splendid thing. Oh, this is pretty groovy, sounds a bit like DFA remix from 2005, which can only be good. A little more guitar in there , but none of the whirlwind that Zinner offer creates. This is very dancey, and rather fine.
Track 3 (Soft Shock): There's more of Karen's proper singing on this track. I like her voice a lot, she's got a great rock voice, expressive, individual and identifiably her own. Much like her wardrobe.
By the way, don't expect much lyrical focus in this. Unless I'm forced to, lyrics are not what I find particularly interesting. Music lives in my hips, not my brain.
Track 4 (Skeletons): She's crooning again, over an Autobahn era Kraftwerk electronic pulse. Then there's some drumstick action like Adam & The Ants, and some almost bagpipey action (I HATE BAGPIPES, but this is okay). They've got to make a video for this on a clifftop somewhere, November Rain style. I'd be dead impressed if they did.
Track 5 (Dull Life): So this is probably closer to what people expect from the YYY's, i.e. it's more indie. Still, they do this sort of thing really well. Really really well.
Track 6 (Shame and Fortune): Kanye would like this beat. Not sure he could do much with that thick guitar hook though, but he's a cool guy, so he'd probably dig it. Much like I dig that terrific cover. More eggs in rock, says I.
I have a feeling that this album is a grower. I like it, but it hasn't blown me away yet. There hasn't been a Maps or Date With The Night yet. There's still time though.
Track 7 (Runaway): Oooh, that's a nice piano sound, could be time for a ballad. This is rather lovely, and features some great shimmering guitar from Nick Zinner. I'll say it again, the man's a brilliant guiatrist, God knows how he makes those sounds.
Track 8 (Dragon Queen): Kudos for the title, anything that sounds like a C64 game sounds good to me. There is a element of 80's pop to this album, but don't be deceived, it's only a touch. Maybe it's all those synths, although this chorus is pretty breathy (an 80's sound, if ever there was one).
Track 9 (Hysteric): This track is pretty unremarkable. I mean, I like it, but it's probably the weakest so far. So next month it'll be my favourite.
Track 10 (Little Shadow): Church organs? Acoustic guitars. Check out the Arcade Fire over there. For about 5 seconds. It's end the album with an epic ballad time. The YYY's are different from other 'indie bands' (I felt dirty just typing it), in that despite their occasional forays into noisiness, especially live, they have a real pop sensibility. The album is crafted, with just the right balance of styles to keep everyone happy. Apart from the hipsters, but they're never happy.
Post-amble: It's definitely a grower. On first listen, although I liked it, it's a little underwhelming. But I'm going to give it time, and I would urge you to do the same. Unless you're a hipster, of course.
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3 comments:
I'm so disappointed with the album as a whole. Everything I love about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is missing. I know they started to lose their rawkousness (sp?) on their last album, but this is a step too far for me. I took a shining to heads will roll at first but now I'm already bored of it. Is it me or does it sound quite 90s? People have been talking about them going 'electro'. I wish they bloody would, not make some half arsed attempt at using a drum machine.
On a positive note, it makes me want to listen to their old stuff to remind me of how I (still) love them.
Apologies for ranting.
I just re-read the last sentence of your your post. Am I a hipster?
Rant away, my friend.
I don't think you said anything that unreasonable. It's precisely because I love their old stuff that I'm going to give them a second chance, but as I said in the review, it was just a little underwhelming.
And no, you're not a hipster. You're too old.
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