Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Coco Beware

Matthew Solarski reports:
Speculation about the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record has been a-churning since the trees 'round here were promenading in full bloom. Now those trees look dead and gnarled and the only glimmers of non-holiday-related wintertime hope come in the form of details on that oh-so-anticipated record. Behold what the latest batch of hope hath wrought:

Coco Beware will be the title of Yeah Yeah Yeahs record number two, according to an mtv.com interview with producer Sam "Squeak E. Clean" Spiegel. Who's Coco, you query? Not the kooky 1980s parrot-wielding pro wrestler, but singer Karen O's Chilean pet cat, adopted off the streets by the charismatic frontwoman during a spiritual journey to South America and lovingly carted back to NYC. Coco provided the afflatus for Karen and co.'s new full-length, reportedly a concept record abstractly illustrating the cat's epic journey. You know, like Ulysses, but for the kids.

Tentatively set for March 2006 release, Clean-- younger brother of idiosyncratic film and music video director Spike Jonze-- disclosed that the journey of Coco will comprise 12-13 tracks and that additional off-topic tracks may well wind up on an EP.

If naming a concept record after a cat named after a wrestler just isn't zany enough for you, the NME reports the the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are holding an album-art design contest as well. Specifically, you get to play Betsy Ross, as the band is seeking flag designs "embodying the symbolic essence that you have vibed off us totally to the max." So, like, hella good ones. Your flag "might" appear on the cover of Coco Beware and the Meow Meow Meows plan to feature other choice banners in the CD's liner notes and/or on their website. Best dig out those Crayolas quicklike: all entries must be postmarked by December 8. Details here.

Furthermore, Squeak E. Clean teasingly alluded to a forthcoming Karen O solo record, which is said to include "superstar" guests. The record will likely not see release until 2007. So there's a source of hope for next winter for y'all.

The busybody trio has been up to all kinds of malarkey of late, including curating a day of All Tomorrow's Parties, releasing books, and developing hardcore side projects. For extensive info, please consult our litany of linkage below. A comprehensive Yeah Yeah Yeahs tour is in the works, but for now please drool over this lone date:

05-13 East Sussex, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (All Tomorrow's Parites)

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This is probably my most anticipated release for next year. :-D I'm a bit wary, but all of the songs bthey've been playing live since FTT have been fantastic, so I've got faith that they can pull this off.