Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Mayan Theater, 8/22/07

Some reviews describe the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s new E.P. Is Is as an attempt to point the band’s musical compass back toward their ear-assaulting hard rock origins. But all one needed to witness was tonight’s crowd reaction to slow tempo songs like “Turn Into” to realize that last year’s Show Your Bones was just as emotionally potent as any of YYY’s previous work. What has also become apparent is that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have amassed quite a large collection of great songs. They’ve reached a point where their set can vary significantly from show to show with no concerns of a filler creeping onto the list. The lineup has remained the same since the beginning of last year’s tour. Imaad Wasif plays rhythm guitar to the left of the now-longhaired Brian Chase. Nick Zinner still takes photos of the crowd during songs. And Karen O remains the most exciting female performer in rock.