This five song EP set it all off for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The NYC trio is obviously huge now, but this 13-minute 2001 debut had two things going for it that seemed to get lost on later full-lengths. First off the, sound is raw - real raw, like Pete Rock wouldn't even step in their basement raw. Secondly the cover art is impossible to ignore, a full sleeve photo of lead singer Karen O's bare chest, covered up with only a gold chain inscribed with the word "MASTER." The YYY's represent the more punk side of NY's rock rebirth with the opening track "Bang" that gives me an image of Ms. O prancing around the stage spilling beer on her miniskirt and fucking up shit, all while maintaining a feminine demeanor. She does the Blondie "Rapture" thing on "Art Star," by rhyming in all cute, but with an aggressive hook. By now I must sound obsessed with Karen O, but it's not my fault - she really makes the group for me. Also check "Mystery Girl" and "Miles Away," and tell me you really care about anything but the girl. black vinyl pressing digital download included music label: Touch & Go Records 2002 reviewed by jms 04/2016.
