Show Your Bones' two final tracks have always sounded to me like a last gasp of a dying band ("Warrior"), and its eulogy ("Turn Into"). It was no secret that the band members had become embittered toward each other, nor did anyone think it was very likely that another record would be coming. Most everyone I know had made peace with the band's demise, particularly in light of the fact that their sophomore effort just waddn't that great. When the Is Is EP came out, it was a delightful, extra surprise, and just what we needed: the thrilling, unsteady blending of the first two albums. YYYs responded to the first question everyone asked about Bones: "how the fuck did you get here?" Is Is sounded like the conciliatory gesture of a band that knew it had disappointed its audience, and gave (me, at least) a satisfying sense of closure. When I encountered the bizarre pairing of the now-ubiquitous synth with the unmistakable crooning of Karen O, I was more disoriented than excited, and immediately thought I was hearing the rumored Karen O solo project. I had the huge misfortune of arriving after the first track had already been played, and was really dismayed to learn that not only had the band returned from beyond, but that they'd decomposed visibly, with Zinner's guitar, already diminished on Bones, practically absent replaced instead by glittery disco-synth and O's now-thoroughly-tamed vocals-- even the drums were weak.
I will not belabor the point: there are two, maybe three decent songs on the album. The opener, "Zero," is fine, and I guess "Skeleton," and even "Dragon Lady" are ok, but the real effect of the album is probably best summed up by their own song title: "Soft Shock". Further, there is a certain gaucheness and indignity in the band's choice to stubbornly resurrect themselves, only to fall so much further than we thought possible. The album is getting plenty of positive reviews, but frankly, it's time everyone got on board: the band died when Karen retired her tutu and abandoned her habit of spraying beer all over her fans. There was a time when we'd gladly pay so she could spit on us, but this time it just feels degrading.
Pic via SMB
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