Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hitz From Miss O And Co, 23 April 2009
Let us be clear that It's Blitz is not Fever To Tell, nor Show Your Bones mark two, and even less a progression and extension when compared to Is Is. Is Is now appears to have been a cathartic expulsion of all that was left of Karen and co's desire to screech and torture instruments. It's Blitz loses the squeaks and squawks and welcomes sultry electro to the party. Those wishing for Fever To Tell 2 may well be disappointed.
Evolution is natural by definition, and so is a desire to be commercially successful. Few manage it with any credibility, but Yeah Yeah Yeahs, along with Kings Of Leon, appear to be doing quite a good job of it. It's Blitz is hugely accessible and radio friendly. As such, it lacks the cutting-edge excitement that Fever To Tell may have offered, but compensates by maintaining their danceable, art-punk-influenced sound. Whilst most Yeah Yeah Yeahs releases have been catchy, none have been more glamorous.
The opening trinity of tracks inject a disco feel into the equation recalling Gary Numan and Blondie in its crossover. To a beat, these three are indie dancefloor filler and killer in one. `Skeletons' however is more in line with `Maps', a quieter ode, perhaps a lament to the underrated `Show Your Bones'.
Sadly, the middle section of the album becomes shrug-worthy. The tempo is reduced and the result is disposable. These tracks are not at all revolutionary and more in line with Show Your Bones' weaker pop-rockers. `Hysteric' and `Little Shadow' take it down a gear or two again at the album's close and once again prove the band are capable of genuinely moving, shuffling pop-rock. These tracks are the natural end to the Blitz party, a pleasant but slightly bittersweet, walk home on a cool evening.
It's Blitz is not complex. It also has no pretence about its ambition, no apologies, and it is wholly enjoyable because of that. It continues an impressive run and certainly adds a further string to their burgeoning bow. It's Blitz, certainly at its onset, is full of disco-punk-pop-rock hits, a formula which allows its tale end to showcase their slower, romantic waltzes. If that is the new focus, Yeah Yeah Yeahs doing New Romanticism may be the next natural step of evolution. You heard it here first. Shuddering optional.
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Blitz: It's a Hit (and well worth the wait!), 31 Mar 2009
Like most people buying this cd, I have played "Fever to Tell" and "Show Your Bones" - both of which are brilliant - to death and was eagerly anticipating the new release from YYYs.
So, was it worth the wait worth?
Yes, and undoubtedly so!
"It's Blitz" is a complete change from YYYs previous outings. The album is a much more mellow and consistent affair. Gone are the raucous vocals. Instead, the listener is treated to a range of songs exploiting Karen O's more 'mature' and 'gentle' turn of voice: from discoesque numbers like Zero, Dull Life and Heads Will Roll to slower ballads like Soft Shock, Hysteric, Little Shadow and Skeletons.
For me, Soft Shock and Hysteric have to be the stand out tracks on the album. They both radiate pure and genuine heart-felt emotion. And that is the general feel of the album. I imagine some fans will not be too pleased with the total departure from YYYs "Date With the Night" Guitar-heavy style, but I give this album a big thumbs up! It will be interesting to see where YYYs go from here...
However, if I was to have a criticism, it would be that the three tracks in the middle of the album (Shame and Fortune, Runaway and Dragon Queen) are a little forgettable - though by no means bad.
If you get the chance to purchase a download copy of the album (which is what I did, but not from Amazon, hence the early review!) it is well worth it. There is the option of getting some bonus tracks - acoustic versions of Soft Shock, Skeletons, Hysteric, Little Shadow and also a track called Faces.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent new album by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 23 Jun 2009
I'll start by admitting that i'm not a huge fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. In fact I don't have any of their previous albums but after listening to this I think I can honestly say that I will be investigating their other albums. They appeared on Later...with Jools Holland to promote this album and played the lead single Zero. I thought it was an amazing performance and the song really grabbed me. I listened to it several times online before deciding to purchase the album. I'm glad I did, as it is an excellent record. Zero opens the album and is a really great song. Heads Will Roll is equally impressive and really draws you in. Then the album, for the most part, slows down a bit. The shift in pace may disappoint some listeners, but the songs are still enjoyable and well produced throughout.
The album reminds me of Doves - Some Cities in the respect that two of the obvious standouts are the first two songs. I remember loving both Some Cities and Black and White Town instantly and then being a little unimpressed by the rest of the songs. But with repeated listening, the album really came together. I think this album has that same quality, put in the time and you'll be rewarded. That's for people who aren't immediately blown away by it. For the rest of us, the album is an instant pleasure from beginning to end. If you like Interpol or The Killers then I would definitely recommend this. My favourite tracks are Zero, Heads Will Roll, Dull Life, Runaway and Dragon Queen but there are no weak songs here. This is likely to be one of the albums of the year and with good reason.
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