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March 9, 2009

New Yeah Yeah Yeahs Video - "Zero"

thumbnail icon: New Yeah Yeah Yeahs Video - "Zero"

When we prematurely praised It's Blitz!, we noted Karen O sounds more commanding than ever. The retooled instrumentation (icy and fuzzed analog synthesizers, skittering electronic beats) puts her square in the spotlight -- a radio-ready post-punk diva, or whatever -- and it works. The Barney Clay-directed video for first single Zero" makes good use of this idea. O's joined by the guys here and there, but this late-night dance is all about her. Wisely, even as O mints her rock star status, she maintains the sort of awkwardness that's always humanized her (and her band). See, for instance, her interactions with passersby. As she noted to Spinner, "It's the underdogs, the rebels, the outsiders that have always captivated me growing up so I decided why not flaunt that side of myself in the video." She's also flaunting the Chrissie Hynde side of herself.

If you've seen, but not heard Blitz! in its entirety, the album's streaming at YYY's MySpace.

Post leak, It's Blitz! is now out 3/10 via Interscope.

Posted at 11:05 AM by brandon in
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25 Comments

meh - i guess yyys have never really been a "video" band

good song though

Posted by: grover profile link at 03/09/09 11:53 AM  | Reply
Score = -11 Vote up Vote down

whaaaaaa!?
go watch the y-control video

Posted by: kurt  in reply to grover's comment at 03/09/09 12:14 PM  | Reply
Score = 10 Vote up Vote down

I second that. Y-Control vid is one of my favorites of all time.

Posted by: Robot Jones profile link  in reply to kurt's comment at 03/09/09 12:25 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

relax, i said they're not a video band, meaning they're not a band that gives a fuck about their videos - y control is a good example of that

Posted by: grover profile link  in reply to kurt's comment at 03/09/09 4:13 PM  | Reply
Score = -7 Vote up Vote down

No.
Wrong.

Posted by: Elliot profile link  in reply to grover's comment at 03/09/09 5:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

I love them that song has really grew on me & that video was H-O-T!!!

Posted by: Colby at 03/09/09 11:53 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

This album is going to be a classic. Great Vid.

Posted by: Enrique at 03/09/09 12:34 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Agreed--video is, eh. New album should be, hooray!

Posted by: bananafana feux profile link at 03/09/09 12:48 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

sounds like the band When In Rome

Posted by: Capt. Colours at 03/09/09 12:58 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

that was fun

Posted by: Brains profile link at 03/09/09 1:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

love the video..can't wait for them to tour for this album. Karen O is like a cross between Tina Turner, Mick Jagger and a T-Rex on stage.

Posted by: Mike at 03/09/09 1:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

That chick is my dream girl. song will be pretty sweet played live too

Posted by: Travis T. at 03/09/09 1:59 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I was kind of hoping for another Patrick Daughters video (see: Maps, Gold Lion), but this isn't particularly bad. Great moments, but not the best.

Posted by: Fascist Baby at 03/09/09 2:28 PM  | Reply
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I love this video solely for the use of The Warfield in SF at the beginning.

Posted by: Brendan at 03/09/09 2:36 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

OMG! I was totally reminded of When In Rome also. Haha.

Dude, the babe in YYY's is hot. What are ya gonna do?

Posted by: maNooshi profile link at 03/09/09 3:08 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

i always wondered what it would sound like if gary numan produced a disco song for siouxsie
i guess i know now

Posted by: bruce at 03/09/09 3:26 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

a lovely and wonderfully noisy song. and i'm a sucker for videos and movies emphasizing an urban backdrop. love it!

Posted by: elelelevato at 03/09/09 4:22 PM  | Reply
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Good gracious I love them. This song was definitely a grower, but it's finally in full bloom in my ears! :D

Posted by: Linda at 03/09/09 5:10 PM  | Reply
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given that the song's strength is almost entirely in karen o's vocal performance, it's weird that they barely even bothered making it look like she was singing it. i guess the point was to defy the glam expectations, but uh... why? kind of boring.

Posted by: mark at 03/09/09 7:19 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I was holding my tiny little peen in my left hand while i watched her and it twitched a smidge to the right.

G.

Posted by: G. at 03/09/09 7:20 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

Jesus, I want to impregnate Karen O.

Great song too.

Posted by: Zero7teen profile link at 03/09/09 9:50 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

yes, this song definately grew on me too. and I must admit... the video is pretty damn "cute"

i wanna dance the night away with Karen O.

Posted by: Andie at 03/09/09 11:34 PM  | Reply
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She's got new outfits! Also, Nick Zinner (sigh)

Posted by: glazzy profile link at 03/10/09 12:52 AM  | Reply
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brian chase always seems so square compared to karen and nick.
i love it.

Posted by: kurt at 03/10/09 1:42 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

This song and video have now confirmed what I thought when they first came out. They are marginally talented as songwriters. I guess her peppiness and 'fashion' go a long way.

Posted by: sorrybut at 03/10/09 11:48 AM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

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