Published on Mar 28, 2006
Yes, it’s polished.
That’s the most frequent adjective that record store
clerks have used to describe the sound of the YeahYeahYeahs’ new
album, Show Your Bones. Out of the batch of garage rock
revival bands that have come out in the early part of this decade,
the YeahYeahYeahs have distanced themselves from their peers by
both avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump and releasing an album
that is a major departure from their debut, Fever To
Tell.
The transformation from the ragged, punkish sound of
their previous album to the polished sound of their latest album
may draw comparisons to Hole. But while Celebrity Skin was a
tarnished turd with one or two great songs embedded in the mess,
Show Your Bones is far more consistent and rewarding with repeat
listens.
Show Your Bones has a definite new-wave feel
that’s a cross between New Order and early Pretenders on a mean
streak. The strutting, staccato pace of “Phenomena” and the morose
“Warrior” fit snugly with songs that could easily translate to the
dance floor with minimal remixing. Brian Chase’s drumming and Nick
Zinner’s guitar work make these dance floor-to-mosh pit transitions
sometimes in the same song (see “Mysteries”). In their live
environment, Zinner has routinely showed he has the stuff of rock
guitar greats. But nothing in his live shows supporting Fever to
Tell will prepare listeners for the range he shows on Show Your
Bones.
The lyrics remain the stuff of breakup heaven. In
“Cheated Hearts,” Karen O sings about being “cheated by the
opposite of love,” but her confidence leads right into the chorus,
in which she yells “sometimes I think that I’m bigger than the
sound.” This could easily be a slight wink to critics who have
analyzed everything from her lyrics to her beer-spouting stage
presence.
If there is one flaw in Show Your Bones, it
would be its almost too-consistent feel. No doubt it’s one of the
strongest albums you’ll hear all year. However, it’s difficult to
pinpoint a standout classic song in the mix. When you finish
listening to it, you get the feeling that you have listened to a
great album, but at the same time, feel a bit empty that no
singular song grabbed you by the neck. Still, that is a problem
that most bands would love to have.
While Karen O will likely to continue to be the
centerpiece of attention from critics and fans alike, Show Your
Bones is definitely a group effort. She may hold your attention
on “Warrior,” but it’s hard not to get caught up in Chase’s
pulsating drumming. The closing track “Turn Into” features a great
solo by Zinner and Karen O’s simplistic line “I know what I know”
lingers long after the track ends. It may not be the knockout that
fans wanted, but Show Your Bones is an album that will
likely please current fans and bring in a slew of new converts.