YELLO / One Second (1987)

It's interesting and a little frustrating that the best point of reference for a Yello album is to previous Yello albums. In that respect, the fifth release by the Swiss duo delivers a decent mix of unique Electro-pop and Latin-style rhythms. But when compared to those previous works it's somewhat bland, being neither as adventurous nor as diverse. It's notable, however, for featuring Billy Mackenzie and Shirley Bassey, the latter on vocals of the best track, The Rhythm Divine.
If you live in the US you get 'Oh Yeah' sandwiched between tracks 8 and 9. I don't know why, because it's supposed to be on Stella (1985).

Songs of Note: Le Secret Farida; The Rhythm Divine

3 European hotel rooms out of 5

YELLO / Flag (1988)

The funky Cuban rhythms and Electro oddness that was once daring and imaginative teeters on the brink of self-parody. There are nine tracks and three of them are variations of the same song. That's too much repetition, guys, even if you are having a laugh at your own expense some of the time.
There are some stand out tracks that you'll likely skip to each time, but they only serve to highlight how lacklustre the remainder of the album really is.

Songs of Note: Of Course I'm Lying; The Race

2½ car commercials out of 5

YELLO / Solid Pleasure (1980)

Yello's début album is just as odd as the cover art implies. Their blend of musical chairs and art house ideals is damn near impossible to put into words without resorting to a list of synonyms for weird. They share Kraftwerk's love of avant-garde blips and squeaks, but not the minimalism; Yello compositions are more multi-layered. I don’t know why they weren't huge, because they're one of the most interesting things to come out of that awful 80s Synth-pop scene.

Songs of Note: Bostich; Night Flanger

3½ lights turned on out of 5

YELLO / Stella (1985)

Yello delivered a very unique kind of musical art on their fourth album, using synthesisers, traditional vocals, spoken word, drum machines and a heavy dose of Dada-esque imagery. Stella is a musical onion - the more you explore it, the more layers it throws up, and the more you examine those layers, the more you realise just how bizarre the song structures really are; they shouldn't work but they do.
It sounds dated but equally timeless. I'm aware that's a contradiction, but so are Yello; it fits and so it remains.

Songs of Note: Vicious Games; Oh Yeah

4 days off out of 5