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There was a thread about them a while ago, but I can't seem to find it...
Personally, I love them. 'Mystery Girl' was definitely one of my theme songs for 2002 and I'm still not sick of it - doubt I ever will be. In fact, that self-titled EP as a whole thrills me, and also has possibly the best, sexiest cover I've seen in a while (if only it was actually called 'Master' though). Slightly less fond of 'Machine', *but* what I am impressed with is the fact that their album, which is to be called Fever To Tell, won't feature any of their previously released material (compare this to The Strokes - about half the songs on 'Is This It' had been previously released).
I'm lucky enough to have a CD of the band live in studio on WFMU and doing a couple of tracks for John Peel, and I can report that the new stuff really seals the deal - in my opinion, they're genuinely brilliant, and despite the hype should not be confused as one-trick scenesters (The One-Trick Scenesters is a great name for a band though, eh?). Some of the tracks are more of what was great about the EP, only more so - filthy sex vibe, slightly wasted feel, funked-up rock'n'roll, very NYC debauchery - eg 'Black Tongue', 'Cold Light' - except the latter also has this sort of wintry element to it - would seem to be about keeping warm in yr unheated bohemian Williamsburg loft squat, by fucking. Okay, I projected the bit about the loft. It does have an incest reference, though, which I like although it is neither big nor clever - "we can do it to each other, like a sister and a brother".
Others see them displaying previously unheard talents - 'Rich' has this fantastic sound which is, I think, guitar, but sounds much more repetitive and danceable - is this a Krautrock thing? Me not know, not muso enough. But it's great. Best of all is 'Maps', described by the band as being intended to become "that song that everyone puts on mix-tapes" (which in itself is a reason to adore them). It's just (over-used phrase alert) achingly beautiful - just a love song, really, very pining, with the refrain "wait... they don't love you like I love you". This is the song I am hoping will convince people who are currently sceptical about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It's great autumn/winter music, as is the similar 'Y Control'.
So... yes, at least one fan here. Interesting to note that having initially tipped the Yeahs as the Next Big Thing, people like the NME have decided to focus on shitter, maler bands, like The Vines, The Datsuns, and in fact the whole 'New Rock Revolution' - bleurgh. |
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