Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs - Fever To Hell

Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Fever To Hell
Interscope Records
Grade: A-

What can be said about the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Probably every adjective, verb and superlative in the English language has been used in some manner to describe their sound and lead singer Karen O's stage prowess. The articles that have been written in Rolling Stone to Spin and everywhere in between could fill a ten-volume set. Nonetheless, we take a shot at describing the latest release by the hottest rock band in the world.

For those who have living under a musical rock, the unfolding of the YYY has proceeded as follows. About three years ago, former NYU film student Karen O (Orzolek from NJ) ran into guitarist Nick Zinner at a NYC club. They first formed this odd acoustic folk amalgamation called Unitard before switching to an electrified punk version of their former selves. To make that transition they need to locate a drummer. Karen O contacted a former Oberlin classmate named Brian Chase. Though Chase fits into the band, stylistically he is clearly set apart by his mild-mannered, "normal" appearance. This is contrasted with Karen O wearing wild punk outfits of yesteryear designed by Christian Joy and the ultra-skinny and dark appearance, along with wild hair, of Zinner.

YYY got their first show before really actually forming, opening for some bums named the White Stripes. Their live show quickly started to get the buzz throughout NYC and soon the rest of the country. This is mostly due to the YYY's focus and attention in making their set as entertaining and electrifying as possible. Most specifically with the antics and vocals of Karen O. Most have characterized her as being over-sexed and sexual-charged with a bit of drunken wildness. With their two previous EPs and the every growing number of people coming out to experience the YYY, record labels began lining up at the door. Not just big independent labels, but major labels. As a bidding war began to form around signing YYY to a mega-contract, YYY fought for space and set out to record a record before they had any deal signed. They wanted to capture their electrifying live show into a recording, an endeavor that is often very difficult to achieve. To accomplish this they tried to keep as close to the conditions of a live show as possible, with Karen O in states of drunkedness. Towards the end of this, YYY finally decided to sign with Interscope.

From this journey spawns their first full-length Fever To Tell. The record kicks off with some sythesizers on "Rich" before Karen O comes in with pseudo-bragging lyrics and the rock comes popping through the speakers. From then on Karen O's shrieking and wailing help characterize the rest of the songs. The minimalist drummer of Chase and guitar playing of Zinner accompanies O. Across all the eleven songs most have some theme or reference to sexuality, though this is not to say there is actually a porno aspect here. The stellar "Date With the Night," that is a non-stop party of fun and beats, follows the opening number. "Man" starts off the lyrics "I got a man who makes me want to kill,…" showering the listener with images of dark night lustiness. "Tick" comes with some actual "ticking" by the ever amorphous O. One of the best tracks on the record is "Black Tongue," starting with O's short shrieks. As the song progresses, O calls out repetitively "boy you just a stupid bitch and girl your just a no good dick." This line will stay with the listener long after the actual song is over. "Pin" begins with short quick guitar playing before blasting into the full-throttle chorus. "Cold Night" is good track that tells the listener exactly what is about to go down with the opening line "cold light, hot night/be my heater, be my lover/and we can do it to each other." The music comes off this standard spastic punk sound of YYY with the closing tracks of "Maps," "Y control" and "Modern Romance." All three are way down-tempo compared to the rest of the record, particularly "Modern Romance." O croons on "Maps" "wait, they don't love you like I love you;" possibly a reference to her boyfriend in the Liars from NYC and the swell of fans on the road. "Y control" has more of a 80s guitar-driven new wave feel. It contains a very distinctive sound that easily gets you on your feet and your heart pumping. Either songs could find some serious commercial audiences. The finale is "Modern Romance" where O is barely audible accompanied by some very light and deliberate drums and guitar. This is a good closure and a nice way to demonstrate the versatility and ability of YYY.

Now that all that needs to be said has been said, you need to get into some of this action. Fever To Hell will make you smile again about the state of underground rock and what the future may hold. If the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs comes through your town check them out immediately. They are not overly fond of touring and it may be awhile until you can see them again.