I think Karen O wins most charismatic performer of the last
decade. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are definitely something else and just one song on It’s
Blitz! is example enough of this albums excellence, particularly after the lacklustre
effort of Mosquito in 2013. One of the interesting things about It’s Blitz! that comes
to mind, is the fact that although it does contain a lot of the dance and art
rock elements that were so articulately featured on their first two records, it
also sways in with some new features that twist up all your pre-existing
notions about Karen O and company. Karen O weaved what could perhaps be the masterpiece of the
New York trio’s musical endeavours. The opening track is “Zero” which is one of
the more beatsy and perhaps the most well-known track from the record. It’s
catchy but still maintains an amount of artistic dignity. It’s great as an
opener because it sounds similar but not really that much so to Show Your
Bones… A more definite comparison could be made to their first record Fever to
Tell.
It’s Blitz! It is a spectacular example of what a LOT of
indie bands have been trying to capture on their own records in the last few
years. There’s something lacking on most of these albums and their efforts, but
not at all on this one. It’s a concise and short record but it’s fantastic. The
second track is “Heads Will Roll”, a jangly dance tune but with that soft
observational female indie flair that we get a lot from artists like Karen O.
It’s not a spectacular track but its fun and the chorus is beyond catchy -"Dance, dance, dance till your dead."
“Skeletons” comes across misty-eyed and creepy, which
works well - I would add however, on the deluxe edition of this album they have
acoustic versions of four tracks, “Soft Shock”, “Skeletons”, “Hysteric”,
and “Little Shadow”. The acoustic version of “Skeletons” is extraordinary
with a chilling charm to it, and reigns superior to the original version. The
original version is great as well - just the soft buzzing and odd drummer-boy
stylised drumming that floods the second half of the track all seems a bit
unneeded and the acoustic version carries a certain purity that would really
work here - just a thought. I adore the fifth track however, “Dull Life”. It’s
very Alanis Morisette, which could annoy some pretentious Yeah Yeah
Yeahs fans as a comparison, but it actually carries across really well with
Karen O’s style when applied. the heavier guitar work definitely comes across
as appropriate in this track as well. There’s a certain Arctic Monkeys feel to
it, or perhaps The Strokes, or something more closely associable - It
works whatever it is. The lyrics are a bit questionable, but then again most of
Karen O’s lyrics are, that’s what makes her so overwhelmingly intriguing.
Difficult to interpret, but unexplainably relatable.
“Shame and Fortune” is my least favourite track on the
record. It echoes in a non-amusing way back to some of the lesser songs on Show
Your Bones and Fever to Tell in an unflattering way. And there’s nothing overly
noteworthy or shivering about this track. It’s more filler than anything. The
best you could say is it IS Karen O so it is at least a bit freaky and
unexpected. It's still better than most of the shit from Mosquito which was extremely
disappointing and unoriginal. It’s Blitz! Really FEELS like a complete album. The
way the songs blend and curve and work with each other guarantees the success
of the album in live atmosphere and on the turntable. Its enormity is evident
in that four years after its release, it was received by many as one of the
greatest records of the 00s and perhaps will always be viewed as the bands
magnum opus. Mosquito certainly leaves the idea of their future works being as
great as Blitz troublesome and unlikely.
“Dragon Queen” is another beatsy track, it
reminds me of some tracks from MGMT’s most recent records.
Very present in it is that sort of crased psychedelia that we seem to have
adopted as brilliance. Some interesting drumming and guitar work in here which
is nice to see… As much as I appreciate Karen O’s genius; it’s nice to see the
other two in the spotlight as well once and a while. “Hysteric” is a spectacular single, possibly the greatest
from It's Blitz! living up to the 'hit single' effect of some of their
earlier works like “Maps” that Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been working hard to ensure
didn’t land them one-hit-wonder status. The lyrics, the instrumentation, and
Karen’s voice; everything about it is absolutely perfect and completely thought
out. The chorus is so flowing and absolutely gorgeous and intricately perfect.
The double-tracking is Lennon-styled and doesn’t miss a beat. And when Karen
half shouts: "Hysteric! Hysterical!" at the end of each chorus section, you can
almost hear the slight chuckle.
“Little Shadow” is the quiet little finale, and
it is exactly what a closing track should be; a sense of finality,
retrospective, a good epitome of what the band stands for and a perfect
conclusion. As a single, it stands on its own very well in addition to being a
swell conclusion to the record. It’s lyrically an A+ as well as featuring some
great drum bits and Karen’s voice is top notch as per usual. Perhaps Yeah Yeah Yeahs won’t ever escape being
more than that 'Maps band' for some people, but It’s Blitz! definitely in my
mind anyway, lands them in the category of bands with brilliant classic albums
that are great to listen to again and again.
~Johnny
8.8
