Yeah New York! (Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

Member Name: Hunting_Bears

Product:	Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Date:	02/05/03 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great music, cool vocals

Disadvantages: none

The debut album from New York City's 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' is full of punk angst, pop melodies and strange lyrics courtesy of Karen O. I saw the 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' in Manchester back in February and I was very impressed. The hype surrounding the album threatened to destroy the band before they even had a chance to have a career. First things first, this band are not the greatest thing since sliced bread. New York has not been this popular since the 1970's. Now it seems every other band is from N.Y.C. With this band you must get passed the silly hype and music journalists writing about Karen O as if she's a rock messiah. The band seems almost bemused by the hype in interviews I have seen. Karen O lives a quiet existence in the countryside of New Jersey so she is hardly a drug-guzzling rock n' roll animal. Yet this band exude sex and the rock ethic and at times they look like pretentious art students who formed a band and other times they look like serious contenders for rock band of the year with their brand of exciting music. The 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' have made a great album and lets hope they make more music and continue to do cool live shows like I witnessed in Manchester in February 2003.


Yeah Yeah Yeah's:

Nick Zinner-guitar, drum machine
Karen Ohm-vocals
Brian Chase-drums


FEVER TO TELL by YEAH YEAH YEAHS


1. Rich

The album opener starts with a drum machine loop and Karen sings 'I'm rich, rich, rich, rich, rich, rich'. The song sounds sleazy and oozing with sex appeal. Karen O is already an icon and this kind of showcases why everybody found her so alluring. The way she sings is so seductive. What is truly great about this song is the different tempos and delivery that ranges between angry and laid back.



2. Date with the Night

The album's second track is a rabid party going anthem that is pure
punk rock. The guitar riff and drums are superb. Within two songs the band have shown listeners that they don't merely trade in punk pop but add a layer of sophisticated drums, guitar and vocals. The angry part in which Karen O sounds like a demon from hell and the crunching guitar and pounding drum add up to a great two and a half minutes.

3. Man

This is a strange love song in which Karen sings 'I got a man who makes me wanna kill'. It is a funky little number with a heavy chorus that descends into 'Sonic Youth' style noise. This is the song that features the album title when Karen O sings 'We've got the fever to tell'. Indeed.


4. Tick

Another punk number that reminds me of Blondie, the vocal delivery again is punk rock but and overall the song is short and sweet. Karen O goes a little mad towards the end with the repeated 'tick, tick, tick' vocals.




Black Tongue

One of my favourite songs on the album that features the bizarre line 'Boy you're just a stupid bitch and girl you're a no good dick'. The drums on this track are also magnificent they are powerful and keep the song together. I also like the assorted squeals, shrieks and funny noises emanating from of Karen O.

Pin

Starting with an amazing guitar riff the song jangles along with punk pop self-assuredness, again the drums, singing and guitar are first rate. This was my favourite song when I saw them live because it is just so infectious.


Cold Light

The song changes direction too many times, at various moments it's fast and other times descends into noisiness that would not sound out of place on a 'Sonic Youth' album. It is a mixture of blues guitar, punk lyrics and yet again a cool drum beat that sounds like free styling jazz.


No No No

If there is one weak track on this album then t
his is. Do not get me wrong it is not a rubbish song but it goes on for too long and is not that memorable. A bit indulgent but hey!


Maps

This is the highlight of the album. Karen's voice sounds melancholic as she sings reassuringly 'Wait they don't love you like I love you'. It is a slow number and quite frankly show's that the band is capable of more than writing loud and aggressive punk rock numbers. I love this song a lot. Also the guitar part is wonderful.


Y Control


Another brilliant tune. It reminds me yet again that the band could turn into something really special. Have I mentioned how cool the drums are on this album? Big round of applause for Brian Chase for actually making the art drumming exciting again! This is a really brilliant pop song. Karen's singing style and the way she delivers the lines is wonderful.


Modern Romance

The album closer is a reflective little number about love and stuff. The more I listen to this album the more I see the hidden depths and talents of the group. They are not just a New York punk band but quite good at writing songs that are sad and ironic. The song starts with a slamming drumbeat on the snare and the guitar chugs along whilst Karen O sings about lost time and being in the wrong.


**Secret Song**

If you carry on listening there is actually a hidden song that is quite good, it's slow and a bit of an anti-climax after finishing with a slow number but 'hey' who really cares? It starts with Karen humming the melody and the guitar and simple drum beat come in. I like this song it sounds sleazy without actually being sleazy (contradictory I know but listen to it).


Bonus Track: Yeah! New York


A bonus track too! 'Yeah! New York' is a cool number and an ode to the Big Apple. A bit of a punk number after 'Modern Romance' and t
he secret track which makes a refreshing change. The guitar and vocals are the best thing on this song. The return of Karen O howling, shrieking and sounding very, very sexy is much appreciated.




'Fever to Tell' is worth the time and the effort and will no doubt get all the hipsters dressing like Karen O (which is actually quite skanky) and trendy kids attending their concerts simply because they will get cool points. I went to watch them because I had heard one song and was instantly hooked. They may implode with all the pressure from the media and fans but whilst they are around they could make a great band. Buy this album and believe the hype just not too much.

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