I don't know much about the background of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I intentionally kept it that way. Quite frankly, for a band like this, the background isn't important. They've been lumped in with the "garage rock revival" thing, which is not only not fair to them, but it has also led to a ton of hype regarding this band.

And if there is anything we've learned with regards to the whole "garage rock revival" thing, it's that the hype hasn't been worth its weight in musical gold. The Strokes? They're one of the best bands at writing the catchiest songs I have no desire to ever hear again. The Vines? Don't get me started. The Hives? They have charisma and not much else. Hell, even the world's worst cover band, Jet, got lumped in there somehow. So needless to say, I did my best to avoid the hype with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and for a while, to just avoid them period. I'd had my fill of bands getting their salads tossed by critics that didn't deserve them.

Finally, a few months back, before Maps ended up becoming a minor hit, I gave the group's first full length disc, Fever to Tell, a chance. I didn't quite know what to make of it, other than it was certainly different, and that the band's lead vocalist, Karen O, was one of the most engaging and energetic lead singers to emerge in the last few years.

Now, after a few more listens, I can safely say I enjoy an awful lot about this record. I love the general sound of the record, I love the arrangements of a lot of the songs, I love the Sonic Youth influence that permeates so many of the songs (without becoming overbearing), and I love the atmosphere the record creates.

Not quite punk, not quite rock, but somewhere in between the two, Fever to Tell begins with Rich, which is driven by a somewhat abrasive synthesizer riff and some heavy tom tom pounding before moving into a more distorted guitar track on the pre-chorus and chorus.

Of course, the song that got this band noticed by rock radio and MTV2 audiences is Maps, which, according to Karen O, is the reason she signed to a major label, so people could hear it. A heart-wrenching break up song that shows the pain of letting go and trying to accept that things are over, the song finds Karen O begging someone to stay ("wait, they don't love you like I do"), and a positively amazing guitar solo from guitarist Nick Zinner. I've talked in a few reviews recently about how a solo needs to fit the song. This is a great example of this. Zinner manages to make you feel like your heart is being ripped out of your chest, even though his solo is short and repetitive. Everything about the guitar solo hits hard, it is as close to perfect as a solo can get.

For a band whose music is rather abrasive and well, abstract sounding, it might be surprising that they're able to come up with some really really solid hooks. Cold Light has a bit of a White Stripes feel to it at first, but it soon becomes a heavy, almost Led Zeppelin inspired number. Am I the only one who hears the blues being turned inside out and on its a*s the way Zeppelin used to do in this track? I'm not comparing the group to Zeppelin (they couldn't be more different), but on this track especially, it is reminiscent of Zeppelin, especially Zep's debut record.

The group also proves they can rev things up, such as on the high energy rocker Tick, or on the slinky Date With the Night

Zinner proves to be the unsung hero of this record. Whether he's laying down the aforementioned solo on Maps or creating a biting, slashing riff that sounds better than 95% of what's on rock radio on a track like No No No, Zinner plays like a man possessed on this record. Not only are his solos and riffs impressive, but he also helps things out with his synth playing as well. And most importantly, he seems to have a sense of atmosphere about him, which all too few guitar players seem to have nowadays. He understands how to craft a song. This understanding plays so heavily into this album being what it is and I don't know if it's been played up enough.

Fever To Tell is the rare record that lives up to its hype. It can take a few listens to truly get into, as it certainly is not an easy first listen. However, it is worth the effort. It is exactly the type of chaotic rock record that too few groups make these days, the type of record that challenges the listener to open their mind and their ears. Don't you think it's time you did so and give the Yeah Yeah Yeahs the chance they so richly deserve?



Recommended: Yes