Released on 20/03/06
Label: Polydor

Several years after we were last excited about them, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back back back! But is it too late late late? Were they still the high-octane garage outfit of yore, then this would have been an awkward reunion, full of uncomfortable pauses and sly glances at your wristwatch. But, thankfully, the trio have evolved - perhaps into the kind of outfit that's finally as glamorous as Karen O herself.

"Gold Lion" is, essentially, an acoustic rock song - closer to classic Nirvana, Suzi Quatro, and late period Hole than anything involving a garage. And, my, the transformation suits them. Where once they ran on uncut excitement and the sheer star quality of their singer, the YYYs are now a traditional rock group and, as such, have to rely on the emotional quality of their songs. And "Gold Lion" is inspiring and uplifting, one of those singles that has you grinning like a lunatic at the sheer rock perfection of it all.

And so, alas, this review will have to finish here - if we play this any more times it's going to end up getting ten out of ten. A brilliant, brilliant return.

    by Ian Watson