Something wonderful is brewing in the garages of New York. With the recent success of The Strokes and Interpol, NYC has become a haven for a new wave of rockers. The next band with expectations for fame is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Relying on a five song EP that's been floating around for over a year, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have created a buzz louder than the killer bees. Known for their non-stop riotous live show, lead singer Karen O. prances around stage like a dolphin on ecstasy, begging comparisons to Joan Jett. Just as impressive is her howl of a voice, a loveable screech. Backing her is Brian Chase's drumming and Nick Zinner's wall-thrashing guitar. No wonder the punk-rock revival world is drooling in anticipation over the release of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's LP debut.
But unlike those killer bees that never came, this hype is real. Slated for release on Tuesday, Fever To Tell is punk rock the way it used to be -- when your dad was busy fighting his way into CBGB's, waiting for this band called "The Ramones" to explode. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's typical formula for chaos is a two to three minute tyrade that gets in and out faster than your first sexual experience. In the standout track "Maps," Karen O. adopts the voice of Liz Phair discovering the distortion pedal. Other highlights include "Man" and "Black Tongue," where Karen O. belches the lyrics, "Boy you're just a stupid bitch/and girl you're just a no good dick." The album's only falter is the last two minutes of "No, No, No," sounding like an outtake from the Twilight Zone. Then again, who can argue with a lead singer who's attitude gives Courtney Love the willies?
