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Is Is [EP] Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: The New York band releases its latest EP, written during the Fever To Tell tour.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Is Is will especially appeal to fans who found "Show Your Bones" a little soft. On the other hand, this release should appeal to any and all Yeah Yeah Yeahs aficionados.
  2. The first new material from New York’s finest avant garde trio since last year’s superb Show Your Bones album, Is Is isn’t a new album, unfortunately.
  3. Is Is is over in eighteen minutes, not one is wasted.
  4. The tunes on this EP are raw, sharp, and catchy, and always push with some kind of propulsive rhythm--a dynamic strut of drums, guitar, and vocals, even on the calmer verse sections.
  5. Crammed with 18 efficient minutes of material generated in the liminal period after 03's "Fever To Tell," Is Is comes closer to the lusty nails-scratching-down-a-lover's back energy of 'Date With The Night' or early Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks like 'Art Star' than anything on 06's "Show Your Bones. "
  6. As a stand alone work this is one of the most convincing collections that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have produced thus far.
  7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs doesn't inspire much patience on the Is Is EP; instead, it rewards it with frustrating hints.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. JoshuaD
    Jul 30, 2007
    10
    An amazing return from Wakesfield finest, covering the subject of generic music, feminist issues and the boredom of living in "the merry An amazing return from Wakesfield finest, covering the subject of generic music, feminist issues and the boredom of living in "the merry city." A fine third offering. Expand
  2. FabioL
    Sep 6, 2007
    10
    It seems like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs could do no wrong. Another great release! Although only an EP, I'm able to listen to the five songs It seems like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs could do no wrong. Another great release! Although only an EP, I'm able to listen to the five songs over and over again. It's just that amazing.' Expand
  3. RickJ
    Jul 28, 2007
    9
    The perfect follow-up to Show Your Bones. I just wish there was more!
  4. MikeM
    Sep 20, 2007
    9
    After hearing each of these songs played live for the past 3 years, it's nice to hear what the YYYs did with them in the studio. Because After hearing each of these songs played live for the past 3 years, it's nice to hear what the YYYs did with them in the studio. Because they were written earlier, they capture more of the loud energy Fever To Tell had, which makes for an awesome follow up to Show Your Bones. Expand
  5. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    8
    Some really good tracks here and they translate well live. Little did people know that they would get floored by a whole new Yeah Yeah YeahsSome really good tracks here and they translate well live. Little did people know that they would get floored by a whole new Yeah Yeah Yeahs sound the following year. Collapse
  6. DanA
    Sep 1, 2007
    7
    It's a shame. No matter how high quality these tracks are, it's still a 5-track EP. Now, by any EP means, this is just legendary. It's a shame. No matter how high quality these tracks are, it's still a 5-track EP. Now, by any EP means, this is just legendary. But compared to any regular album it's not great or anything. Still very good, but it would've been put to better use on a studio album. Expand
  7. Jul 5, 2012
    7
    Short but sweet. Typical YYYs, all strong tracks without ever getting too spectacular and leaves you wishing this was album by the time youShort but sweet. Typical YYYs, all strong tracks without ever getting too spectacular and leaves you wishing this was album by the time you get to track 5. Down Boy is the highlight. Expand