Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Recover Old Songs

The latest release from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is a mere five song E.P. that is somewhat reminiscent of their pre-Fever to Tell output. If while listening to Is Is you get the feeling that these songs sound like natural descendants to the YYYs early releases, like their self-titled debut and Machine, there's a good reason for such suspicions: these songs were actually written around the same time as those early E.P.s. For their latest release the YYYs grabbed a bunch of older songs and re-recorded them. Unlike the rest of us, when the Yeah Yeah Yeahs look under their couch cushions instead of finding loose change they just happen to find a handful of unused songs.

Working against their more recent, more polished work, the latest YYYs release feels as if the whole affair was bound together by a bunch of rusty bolts. While the songs have more of an edge than the YYYs' indie-pop numbers, they're hardly a retread of their early days. The stuttering pace of "Rockers to Swallow" sounds as if the drums and guitar would collapse if Karen O's snarl didn't whip them along all the way to the finish line. There's a sense of space that wasn't present in YYYs' early fits of noise, which makes it even more important for the trio to play off one another. For his part, Brian Chase takes an opportunity for more complexity and drum fills, Nick Zinner expands his oeuvre with some psychadelia on "Isis," and while avoiding any conventional melodies, Karen O showcases her strengths as a front woman. Is Is sounds like a sort of missing link between the YYYs' early songs and their first album.

Considering that these songs were written long before this E.P. was recorded, I don't think the YYYs are necessarily hinting at a new direction. From "Art Star" to "Cheated Hearts" the YYYs have already proven they shriek as well as they can sing, but it is comforting to know that they haven't completely given up on shrieking. Here's hoping that instead of plotting their songs along a pop/noise spectrum they realize there doesn't have to be much of a difference between the two.
April 20, 2008

Short but Sweet

This EP from Yeah Yeah Yeahs is a bit harder than their Show Your Bones album. I prefer their edgier rock sound in this album but these songs easily fit into the rest of their collection. If you like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I'd recommend adding these 5 songs to your collection. February 29, 2008

return to form

Nothing on this EP indicates the recording dates, but "Is Is" sounds like prime YYYs. Definitely a return to the ferocious energy of "Fever To Tell" & the Touch & GO EP "Master." Very encouraging after the smoothed out, low voltage sophomore slump "Show Your Bones." February 12, 2008

Just buy it

Imagine your five favorite songs from Fever To Tell and Show Your Bones. Imagine you'd never heard them before. Imagine they were on this CD. Now buy it. January 24, 2008

No bass player, no problem

It takes a lot of talent to play good songs this loudly and with this much conviction. Best release of 2007. January 5, 2008

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