Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It’s Blitz
Reviewer: Analiese Jackson
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Out Now
Three years in the making, It’s Blitz is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs third studio offering. Their first album, Fever to Tell was released in 2003 and was generally received well by critics worldwide. With a strong underground following, their new album had a lot to live up to in terms of exceeding die-hard fans expectations as well as generating a whole new fan base.
The album starts off with the track Zero, which is also the bands first single off the new album. Zero is a melodic electro-pop ballad which builds into what I can only describe as a gorgeous finale, however, my top pick from the tracks that It’s Blitz has on offer is the unusually beautiful Hysteric. Unlike the name suggests, Hysteric is a sweet, feel good pop ditty, that sounds like its should be the sort of tune featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy (which isn’t some sort of backhanded compliment, as I reckon that Grey’s offers a home to a wonderful array of alternative artists trying to break into mainstream music). Other songs such as Heads will Roll are of more of the electro/disco/ alternative dance genre that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are readily associated with. Think Lady Gaga for adults and you’ll have an inkling of the sort of music that I’m referring to (though having said this, I love Ms. Gaga, even though her music is slightly obnoxious, but that’s another review for another time). Shame and Fortune isn’t a bad track to groove to quietly, either.
I’ve never been much into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs style of alternative electro disco rock, although I’ve always quite liked lead singer Karen O’s eccentric dress sense. I have to say though that this album had changed my opinion of the band dramatically for the better . While it wasn’t quite the rock n roll album that I was expecting, It’s Blitz is a pretty chilled out album, reminiscent of retro disco music of yesteryears and perfect for an afternoon of not-doing-muchness. The die hard Yeah Yeah Yeahs fan out there should definitely add this record to their collection, if they haven’t already, for it shows the progression of the band into distinguished musicians.