Release date: March 28, 2006
11 tracks, 38:58

It's not easy to try and describe Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Maybe you've heard their hit "Maps." Maybe you saw their performance on MTV a few years back. Maybe you've seen them ... well ... just about everywhere.

In the past month, they've been in Rolling Stone, Blender, Spin and just about every magazine, or so it seems.

The tumultuous band is always sparking rumors of a breakup. It wouldn't surprise me if they did - it always happens to the good bands. The bands that break new ground. The bands that can't be defined by a category.

Call them punk. Call them rock Compare singer Karen O to PJ Harvey. Compare her to Courtney Love. There is no comparison.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are truly one of the more unique bands I've heard in a while. Karen O's howling over simple music. It's energetic. It's rhythmic. It's melodic. It's a shot in the arm of the music business.

I bought their new album on my lunch break one day. On my way home from work, I stopped and bought their debut album, "Fever to Tell."

"Fancy" has an intro that sounds like the Moody Blues. Their first single "Gold Lion" has been hitting radio more and more.

"Phenomena" reminded me of the song "Phenomenon" by LL Cool J, but probably only because the lyrics to the chorus are similar. That's the only similarity, too.

"Honeybear" almost kicks off in a disco style, but then gets more punk.

While I'm usually at the front of the line to complain about repetitive lyrics, Yeah Yeah Yeahs can be repetitive without being monotonous. Karen O's energy carries the listener along.

"Show Your Bones" is the perfect followup to their debut. It's great that the band hasn't lost a step for their sophomore album.

Check them out if you get the chance. Hopefully, they won't break up before they come to the Carolinas on tour.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at April 28, 2006 10:50 PM