[Interscope, 2009]Bands tend to progress with each album released. This is understood, and it's nothing unusual. It's considered a sign of maturity and of pushing boundaries. These changes are often minute affairs, made to separate one release from another. Imagine my surprise when I put on the newest offering by the New York City based trio and instead of hearing the fuzz of a guitar, I heard a pulsing, plattering synth. This begins the first track and leading single of It's Blitz!, a fun electro-pop album that shows the band in much different form than 2006's Show Your Bones. Electronics make up the breadth of the band's new sound. Propelled by synthesizers and drum machines, Karen O's haunting voice dominates.
Melody is key here. The afformentioned synth lines are often simple yet effective parts of an interweaving whole of synth, bass, and vocals. Each complements the others well, and it's evident that each song was painstakingly crafted with great attention to detail. The album just sounds great. TV on the Radio member Dave Sitek did another phenominal production job for them. Every instrument is easily distingisable and vibrant, and the drums are characteristically punchy. It never seems overproduced though; never overtly pop.
There's no filler here, and every song just seems to belong. I came into it with modest expectations and was floored. If this is any sign as to where the Yeahs go next, it's clear they'll surprise me yet again with an album even better than this one. Here's hoping they do.
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This band is excellent and completely unique. It does seem that each part of the songs works harmoniously and must have taken ages to create. I've heard some of their songs earlier, but I've not taken the time to actually analyze some of their new music. From what I can find and hear, this album is stunning.
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