Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

Rating:

* * * *

Far be it for us to encourage reckless driving, but next time you're out on the open road, try putting on the Yeah Yeah Yeah's latest record and turn up

Zero

. Open the windows and feel your pulse race as the electrifying opener swirls and stomps around you.

It's Blitz!

is the New York posse's third album and hears the trio in their usual fine form. Front woman Karen O's cool charm is more seductive than ever as she switches from the ethereal coo of an ice queen to the sharp, sassy bite of a brunette Blondie.

Heads Will Roll

follows the searing opener with a similar stabbing, fevered tempo as O barks the regal order "Off, off with your head/ Dance, dance till you're dead".

But the band have learnt to control their aural assault on listeners, reigning in the frenzy on

Skeletons

. The powerful, restrained electro ballad hears O's voice crack with tenderness as she echoes the refrain, "Love don't cry", before a strange Highland military instrumental enters the mix.

Then there's Runaway - a haunting, piano track accompanied by warbling cellos and shivering synths - and the closing duo

Hysteric

and

Little Shadow

. Two simple dream pop tracks that wind down the record, lowering the temperature and bringing listeners back to Earth.

In between, there's plenty to get the dance floor shaking as O and the boys unleash a series of frantic, noise explosions - a little less raw than their earlier efforts but somehow more alluring.

Dull Life

is anything but as guitarist Nick Zinner steps to the fore, duetting with O on his guitar, before the band regroups for a final aural strike.

With the brief exception of

Shame and Fortune

- whose off-key repetition grates against the harmony of the other nine tracks -

It's Blitz

sees the band complete a hat-trick of ace albums.

Joanna Hunkin