REVIEW: Yello, Zebra
- Reto Koradi
It's been 14 years since Yello released Solid Pleasure, and it might well be Switzerland's most important contribution to pop music so far. It was followed by some other excellent albums in their characteristic experimental/electronic sound. During the second half of the 80s, they seemed to lose their creative momentum somewhat, even though some of their weakest tracks like "Oh Yeah" can be heard in virtually every television commercial and movie soundtrack. The last album, Baby from '91, spawned the great single "Rubberbandman", but was found in the sales bins quickly. It's been quiet about them since then, but now Dieter Meier and Boris Blank are back with their new album Zebra, with considerable media hype.
The first track, "Suite 909", comes as a slight shock to the old-time fan. It's got that dance/techno-beat that we hear all too often in the current charts. Some cool sounds and Dieter Meier's voice lift it above average, but that's not what we expect from a band that used to define the trends a decade ago.
There are some other tracks that follow this pattern ("Night Train", the first single "Do It", "Fat Cry"). They seem to target a new, younger audience with these, and they might very well succeed.
Fortunately, that's not all they do. The second single "Do It" is a brilliant, short (2:30) song that should enter history as a classic Yello track. Boris Blank has worked hard on his samplers and computers, and opens his huge bag of tricks.
There are some songs (especially "I.. I'm In Love" and "Tremendous Pain") that live up to past masterpieces like "Vicious Games", "I Love You" or my all-time favorites, "Lost Again". Great sounds and Dieter Meier's characteristic vocal style make up for experimental, yet catchy pop songs that can get the listener addicted.
"S.A.X.", as indicated by the name, features nice saxophone samples and the closing track "Poom Shanka" works up oriental influences, another current trend.
All in all this might not be the ultimate album for the desert island. But it's a far shot better than the last few Yello albums, it might get them new friends while making the old ones happy. They deserve another plus point for withstanding the excessive-length-syndrome, the album clocks in at 46 minutes.
As usual, everybody has to answer the ultimate consumer question ("to buy or not to buy") for himself. You might be able to live without Zebra, but it's well worth the money, and could be one of the best albums you buy this year.
