YETI MAGAZINE Issue #4 magazine 12.95
Finally, one of our favorite magazines returns, and heck, we didn't have to wait a year between issues!! We think this is a sign of a steadier, more reliable Yeti! Which is definite a good thing, considering how totally badass both the mag and the accompanying cd are every single time. Within the 242 pages of Yeti number 4 you'll find a rare interview with Souled American, as well as a piece on Reverend Louis Overstreet, an interview with artist Fred Tomaselli, "How To Sing Along With 'Sweet Home Alabama'" by Matmos' Drew Daniel, harrowing and fascinating images from the Sydney Police archives, an eight year old interviews Dan Bejar from Destroyer, an interview with Sam Lipsyte from Powell's Bookstore, an interview with Peter Lamborn Wilson, an Okkervil River tour diary, an interview with Todd Barry, a reminiscence on ABC No Rio and the '80s New York open-mic scene, an interview with writer Octavia Butler as well as a bunch of fiction and tons of comics. As always, also included is a cd compilation, this time featuring, Radio 4, Destroyer, Bright, Califone, Michael Hurley with Tara Jane O'Neil, Ghosting, Page France, Okkervil River, Fly Ashtray, Valet, Theo Angell and a bunch more. Awesome!

YETI MAGAZINE Issue #5 magazine 11.95
We were under the impression that Yeti, absolutely one of our favorite magazines, focusing on all aspects of the art world (music, drawing, fiction, fashion, performance, etc. but with a definite focus on music) was meant to be quarterly, or three times a year, or at LEAST twice a year, but since we've only just gotten issue five, and it's been about 5 years since issue one, well, just keep telling yourself, some things are worth waiting for. Never more true than with Yeti, a definite labor of love, assembled and compiled by long time aQ pal Mike McGonigal, with the help of an incredible array of writers, artists and musicians. Every issue jam packed with some familiar faces, but usually more new discoveries. Which is precisely how a magazine should be.
So what's going on in this long awaited fifth installment? Well, we just got it in, so none of us have had time to dig in deep yet (most of us will probably do just that this weekend, it's the perfect thing to curl up in a big chair with, headphones on, rest of the world shut out), so we'll just have to give you a quick overview.
A brief exploration of the marriage made in Hell between folk music, dead cultures, myth and highly technical modern extreme metal, excerpts from the Pinakothek web log (that's blog to you), an interview with Will Oldham, drawings by Saul Chernick, Mike McGonigal examines Blind Willie Johnson's "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground", fiction by Meredith Brosnan, German graphic artist Unica Zurn, NY rockers Akron/Family, an interview with Nicola Bowery (wife of late fashion / performance artist Leigh Bowery), drawings by Kyle Field of Little Wings, a chat with P.G. Six, fiction by Kevin Sampsell, a 1969 interview with Mississippi Fred McDowell, drawings by Kevin Arrow, an excerpt from some WEIRD online chatrooms, awesome travel diary from Sublime Frequencies' Hisham Mayet with lots of amazing photos, paintings by SF artist Michelle Blade, and Yeti does that cool thing, where all the advertisements are in the back in their own section.
PLUS, Yeti comes with a cd of rare and unreleased exclusive music from a very aQ array of artists: Atlas Sound, Akron/Family, Iron & Wine, Mt. Eerie, Deerhoof, Dean And Brita, Blind Willie Johnson, Spiritualaires, Phoaming Edison, excerpts from Radio Sumatra, A Hawk And A Hacksaw and a bunch more!

YETI MAGAZINE Issue #6 magazine 11.95
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Seems like only yesterday we got Yeti #5. Well, it was actually March of this year, but by Yeti standards that IS practically yesterday. So it seems that Yeti is finally on a more normal release schedules, which is good news for fans, like us, who hated the interminable wait between dispatches from Yeti HQ, each missive a gorgeous perfect bound mag packed chock full of art, and music, and interviews, and art, and photography, and always bundled with a kick ass cd, packed with tons of tracks from cool bands. This issue is no different.
Let's give a quick run down of what's in the magazine:
An interview with David Fair of Half Japanese about his cut out paper art, and several pages featuring various examples, an interview with New Zealand pop heroes The Clean, the art and music of Mingering Mike, an outsider artist who crafted his own record jackets, even going so far as to make fake price tags and label stickers, an interview with the Vivian Girls, an article on folk photography and old time post cards, Sic Alps and Eat Skull interviewed and then interviewing each other, a piece about music in NYC in the seventies and eighties, photos by Ted Barron, an archival interview with the Sun City Girls, an interview with novelist and photographer Peter Doyle, an interview with A.R.E. Weapons' Thom Bullock about DISCO and some of his various projects, as well as plenty of original fiction, art and even some poetry.
The cd this time around features tracks from The Great Unwashed, The Clean, Crystal Stilts, Ilyas Ahmed, Sun City Girls, Collections Of Colonies Of Bees, Times New Viking, Eat Skull, Devendra Banharts's Megapuss and more more more. All for a measly $12.00. Not bad. Not bad at all...

YETI MAGAZINE Issue #7 magazine + cd 11.95
Like an eclipse, or that comet that only passes by the Earth every eon or so, the long awaited arrival of the latest issue of the the kick ass music and arts magazine Yeti. Number seven for those keeping track. And as always, it's massive, packed with all sorts of good stuff, and it comes with a cd filled with rare and exclusive tracks from all sorts of bad ass bands.
In the magazine this time around there's new artwork from Mingering Mike (get his book, he designed his own record covers and sleeves for his imaginary bands, it's pretty fantastic), Grouper interviews Ilyas Ahmed, an interview with artist Jim Woodring, a rare manuscript from Abner Jay, an interview with author Lynne Tillman, noise poppers The Nodzzz, an interview with writer Rudy Wurlitzer, a selection of book covers from the '60s and '70s by Joe Brainard, a feature on artist/teacher/activist Nancy Dupree, awesme comics by developmentally disabled adults in the Full Life program in Portland Oregon, a feature on Jack Rose and The Black Twig Pickers, drawings by artist Bradley Earl (who also plays in Woods!), a conversation with Ripley from SF's own Wooden Shjips and loads of illustrations, photos, artwork, some fiction, and as always all the ads are crammed together in the back.
And as if that weren't twelve bucks worth already, there's that accompanying cd, with rare and exclusive tracks from Abner Jay, Dum Dum Girls, The Dutchess And The Duke, Eternal Tapestry, Crystal Stilts, Grouper, Woods, Fresh & Onlys, WOODEN SHJIPS and more!!

YETI MAGAZINE Issue #8 magazine 11.95
It always seems a new installment of this long running and beloved music and arts magazine / journal shows up right when we're working on the New Arrivals list, so as badly as we just want to curl up in a big warm chair and get lost in it, we're forced to finish the list before we can dive in, which is torture, cuz Yeti, every issue, is jam packed with fascinating articles, killer art, and super interesting interviews. And of course there's the accompanying soundtrack cd, always overflowing with amazing sounds.
Number eight offers up these delights: an interview with the legendary Jim Dickinson, an interview with Explode Into Colors, a cool collection of old time real photo postcards and an accompanying essay, an interview with Eliane Radigue, a piece on Bishop Perry Tillis, photographs of an abandoned amusement park in Japan, rediscovering the Johnny Mathis / Chic collaboration (!), a piece on Harry Partch, with lots of instrument photos, artwork by Nicole Eriko Amagai Smith, an article about sound makers Flower Electronics and King Capitol Punishment, artwork by Andrew Neyer, an interview with Zola Jesus, and plenty more.
As always the ads are all jammed into their own section in the back, so you can ignore them if you like, although there are plenty of exciting things to discover / buy. And then the cd, featuring mostly new and exclusive music from Ty Segall, Little Claw, Brown Recluse, Tyvek, Mantles, Bishop Perry Tillis, Inca Ore, Woven Bones, The Splinters, Jim Dickinson, Pete Swanson, The Moles, Vaselines and more more more. As always, RECOMMENDED!

YETI MAGAZINE Issue #9 magazine + cd 11.95
Just like clockwork, a killer new issue of long running magazine Yeti, shows up on the day of the list. So instead of giving a detailed rundown, of all the stuff in the new Yeti we've read about and the killer Yeti cd we listened to as we dug deep into Yeti number nine, we'll have to give you a thumbnail version, since it literally showed up about 10 minutes ago, although once the list is in fact done and sent, we will of course, be taking Yeti home and digging in for real.
So number nine is here, featuring visionary Australian singer/songwriter Pip Proud, two interviews with American musician/installation artist Maryanne Amacher, some rare writings from The Fugs' Tuli Kupferberg (R.I.P.), photos and observations on tour from Dean Wareham, comic artist James Turek, some fiction from Mimi Lipson, comic artist Lizz Hickey, Indian music scholar and crazy record collector VAK Ranga Rao, new artwork by Arrington De Dionyso, artist filmmaker Bruce Conner, musician Alasdair Roberts, new art by Alissa Wessler, writings by Joaquin V. Gonzalez, comics and illustrations by Beatriz Monteavaro, and then as always, a bunch of ads crammed into the back of the mag.
Also as always, included is a companion cd, this time featuring rare and exclusive recordings from Pip Proud, Teenage Panzerkorps, US Girls, Plankton Wat, Spencer Moody, The Art Museums, Human Eye, Fantastic Palace, Bobby Charles, KO + Friends, Rhythmical Wright Singers, Rev. Lonnie Farris, AIAS, Bishop R. McDaniel, Arrington De Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa, Geoff Soule, Reading Rainbow, X-Ray Eyeballs, Marisa Anderson, Modern Women, and a bunch of awesome Indian music from VAK Ranga Rao's 78 collection, selected by Rob Millis!
Needless to say, as always, totally recommended.

YIKES Secrets To Superflipping EP (Upset The Rhythm) cd 10.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Whereas SF gadabout John Dwyer has been maintaining a solemn hush these days with his project OCS/OhSeeS, he might've been missing a vehicle to vent some steam since the demise of his band Coachwhips. Not anymore! Enter his new-ish band Yikes, and their first release. Secrets To Superflipping is a cathartic raucous guitar bash'n'howl recorded live at KPFA. Mixed and mastered by Weasel Walter and the band.
MPEG Stream: "Poor People"
MPEG Stream: "Putrifiers"

YIKES Secrets To Superflipping EP (Upset The Rhythm) 10" 9.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Whereas SF gadabout John Dwyer has been maintaining a solemn hush these days with his project OCS/OhSeeS, he might've been missing a vehicle to vent some steam since the demise of his band Coachwhips. Not anymore! Enter his new-ish band Yikes, and their first release. Secrets To Superflipping is a cathartic raucous guitar bash'n'howl recorded live at KPFA. Mixed and mastered by Weasel Walter and the band.
MPEG Stream: "Poor People"
MPEG Stream: "Putrifiers"

YIKES Whoa Comas / Blood Bomb (Kill Shaman) cd 10.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Yikes, indeed! If you enjoy effects heavy, fuzzed out, fucked up, rudimentary rawk freakshows, this new Yikes is for you! John Dwyer and co. launch a boil-popping noise barrage that barely leaves any room for the squawked and shouted vocals. If you've been keeping tabs on Dwyer's sonic activities, you might be please to discover that his latest exclamation fits right between his old bands Coachwhips and Pink And Brown. Tho' we can also say that on songs like "The Wick" he sounds like a dyspeptic Robert Pollard. The assault is short if not sweet; the seven songs clock in at just under fifteen minutes!
MPEG Stream: "The Wick"
MPEG Stream: "Blood Bomb"

YING YANG TWINS U.nited S.tate Of A.tlanta (TVT) cd 16.98

YO LA TENGO And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (Matador) cd 10.98
Soooo worth the (nearly three year) wait! Yes, this new album from the ever-evolving Yo La Tengo can be simply described with two words: positively dreamy. With grace and ease, Ira, Georgia and James transport you to their lovely otherworld. Choosing gentle transitions over abrupt changes, with each release they've moved farther and farther from their feedback-laced, decidedly more cacaphonous early years. Which has brought them to this, their tenth album! Always bringing a little something from their previous release to their next, they've brought the pretty organ drones and sequenced beats from their last full-length 'I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One', and drawn them out over the course of a full album. Both Ira and Georgia's voices blend seamlessly into the music and into each other. In fact, it's not until track 9 that Ira pulls out his guitar for a little upbeat number reminiscent of "Sugarcube" or "From A Motel 6". With 'And Then Nothing...' Yo La Tengo have successfully created an album that moves forward, but still blankets you in a warm fuzzy familiarity.
MPEG Stream: "Last Days Of Disco"
MPEG Stream: "Cherry Chapstick"

YO LA TENGO And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (Matador) 2lp 19.98
Soooo worth the (nearly three year) wait! Yes, this new album from the ever-evolving Yo La Tengo can be simply described with two words: positively dreamy. With grace and ease, Ira, Georgia and James transport you to their lovely otherworld. With each release they've moved farther and farther from their feedback-laced, decidedly more cacaphonous early years. Which has brought them to this, their tenth album! Always choosing to bring a little something from their previous release to their next, they've brought the pretty organ drones and sequenced beats from their last full-length 'I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One', and drawn them out over the course of a full album. Both Ira and Georgia's voices blend seamlessly into the music and into each other. In fact, it's not until track 9 that Ira pulls out his guitar for a little upbeat number reminiscent of "Sugarcube" or "From A Motel 6". With 'And Then Nothing...' Yo La Tengo have successfully created an album that moves forward, but still blankets you in a warm fuzzy familiarity.
MPEG Stream: "Last Days Of Disco"
MPEG Stream: "Cherry Chapstick"

YO LA TENGO Autumn Sweater (Matador) cdep 7.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
A song from Yo La's forthcoming new full-length, the album version plus three remixes by Tortosie, U-Ziq, and Kevin Shields, respectively! Each remiz sounds much like typical work by the remixer. Yo La Tengo goes breakbeat? Well, trying.

YO LA TENGO Camp Yo La Tengo (Matador) 7" 4.50
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.

YO LA TENGO Camp Yo La Tengo (Matador) cdep 8.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.

YO LA TENGO Danelectro (Matador) cd ep 5.98
The second Yo La Tengo remix ep. True to the excellence we've come to expect from him, Japanese knobtwiddler Nobukazu Takemura delivers the best track (just as he did for the Steve Reich remix album) on this little slip of an EP, wherein Kit Clayton, Q-Unique, and Takemura remix versions of one song by Yo La Tengo, a quiet, murmur-y instrumental. This will appeal to fans of the mellow, sweet Yo La, if you want feedback and such, look elsewhere.
RealAudio clip: "Danelectro 2 remixed by Nobukazu Takemura"

YO LA TENGO Electr-o-pura (Matador) cd 10.98

YO LA TENGO Fade (Matador) cd 14.98
We're actually glad Yo La Tengo isn't more prolific and makes us wait a few years before each release. This way we eagerly anticipate each new album and fully savor it once it's finally here. There's always a give and take of expectation too, we know inside and out what YLT's basic sonic template will be, but there's always a loose thematic exploration or vague organizing principle behind each release that gets changed up each time. The last two, Popular Songs, and I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, were largely kitchen sink affairs in terms of style and duration, mixing cool genre pop experiments of Motown soul and country with long excursions into indie psych rock. Fade by contrast is their most compact and concise full length in over a decade with just 10 songs in about 45 minutes (the deluxe vinyl comes with a bonus 7" with two covers of a Todd Rundgren song and a Times New Viking song, as well as a download coupon that also includes a bonus new 11 minute track, the ambient instrumental "Oriole"). But the brevity of length on the album proper brings greater focus to the nuanced details of each song. Produced by John McEntire of Tortoise in a wonderful collaboration we are surprised hasn't happened long before now. This may be the band's best sounding record yet.
Whether it's their overall best record is always debatable, but every YLT record satisfies us on some level like a dear old friend, and all of us of course have our own favorites. Fade hearkens back to the softer pastoral sensitivity of 2003's Summer Sun without so much of that album's cosmic free jazz flourishes. Instead, each track on Fade is a tightly composed slice of indie pop economy with attentive detail to arrangement and production: The warm warble of the organ, the brilliant reverbed guitar tones, the subtle chamber orchestration of horns and strings that are peppered about, but used with restraint, and of course the sublime vocal harmonies. Definitely a great morning record to get your day started. Not a game changer by any means, but in the band's 30 year history, who's really expecting one at this point. At least they remain firmly on top of their game, and that's all that matters.
MPEG Stream: "Ohm"
MPEG Stream: "Stupid Things"
MPEG Stream: "Before We Run"

YO LA TENGO Fade (Matador) lp 16.98
The deluxe vinyl version of Fade is now sold out, but we've got the standard edition now (sans 7" but still with a download!).
We're actually glad Yo La Tengo isn't more prolific and makes us wait a few years before each release. This way we eagerly anticipate each new album and fully savor it once it's finally here. There's always a give and take of expectation too, we know inside and out what YLT's basic sonic template will be, but there's always a loose thematic exploration or vague organizing principle behind each release that gets changed up each time. The last two, Popular Songs, and I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, were largely kitchen sink affairs in terms of style and duration, mixing cool genre pop experiments of Motown soul and country with long excursions into indie psych rock. Fade by contrast is their most compact and concise full length in over a decade with just 10 songs in about 45 minutes. But the brevity of length on the album proper brings greater focus to the nuanced details of each song. Produced by John McEntire of Tortoise in a wonderful collaboration we are surprised hasn't happened long before now. This may be the band's best sounding record yet.
Whether it's their overall best record is always debatable, but every YLT record satisfies us on some level like a dear old friend, and all of us of course have our own favorites. Fade hearkens back to the softer pastoral sensitivity of 2003's Summer Sun without so much of that album's cosmic free jazz flourishes. Instead, each track on Fade is a tightly composed slice of indie pop economy with attentive detail to arrangement and production: The warm warble of the organ, the brilliant reverbed guitar tones, the subtle chamber orchestration of horns and strings that are peppered about, but used with restraint, and of course the sublime vocal harmonies. Definitely a great morning record to get your day started. Not a game changer by any means, but in the band's 30 year history, who's really expecting one at this point. At least they remain firmly on top of their game, and that's all that matters.
MPEG Stream: "Ohm"
MPEG Stream: "Stupid Things"
MPEG Stream: "Before We Run"

YO LA TENGO Fade (Matador) lp + 7" 22.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
We're actually glad Yo La Tengo isn't more prolific and makes us wait a few years before each release. This way we eagerly anticipate each new album and fully savor it once it's finally here. There's always a give and take of expectation too, we know inside and out what YLT's basic sonic template will be, but there's always a loose thematic exploration or vague organizing principle behind each release that gets changed up each time. The last two, Popular Songs, and I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, were largely kitchen sink affairs in terms of style and duration, mixing cool genre pop experiments of Motown soul and country with long excursions into indie psych rock. Fade by contrast is their most compact and concise full length in over a decade with just 10 songs in about 45 minutes (the deluxe vinyl comes with a bonus 7" with two covers of a Todd Rundgren song and a Times New Viking song, as well as a download coupon that also includes a bonus new 11 minute track, the ambient instrumental "Oriole"). But the brevity of length on the album proper brings greater focus to the nuanced details of each song. Produced by John McEntire of Tortoise in a wonderful collaboration we are surprised hasn't happened long before now. This may be the band's best sounding record yet.
Whether it's their overall best record is always debatable, but every YLT record satisfies us on some level like a dear old friend, and all of us of course have our own favorites. Fade hearkens back to the softer pastoral sensitivity of 2003's Summer Sun without so much of that album's cosmic free jazz flourishes. Instead, each track on Fade is a tightly composed slice of indie pop economy with attentive detail to arrangement and production: The warm warble of the organ, the brilliant reverbed guitar tones, the subtle chamber orchestration of horns and strings that are peppered about, but used with restraint, and of course the sublime vocal harmonies. Definitely a great morning record to get your day started. Not a game changer by any means, but in the band's 30 year history, who's really expecting one at this point. At least they remain firmly on top of their game, and that's all that matters.
MPEG Stream: "Ohm"
MPEG Stream: "Stupid Things"
MPEG Stream: "Before We Run"

YO LA TENGO Fakebook (Bar None) cd 14.98

YO LA TENGO Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo (Matador) 2cd 13.98
Two discs packed full of Yo La Tengo's genius and love. A wonderful collection of their assorted odds and ends, covers, alternate versions, singles and stuff.

YO LA TENGO Here To Fall Remixes (Matador) cd ep 7.98
The leadoff track from Yo La Tengo's latest album, Popular Songs, gets the remix treatment from three of the band's favorite hip-hop beat makers. De La Soul, RJD2, and Pete Rock all take their turn remixing "Here To Fall". While we usually aren't the biggest fans of rock bands going the remix route, especially the HIP HOP remix route, luckily Yo La Tengo have always managed to pull of whatever they wanted to do, no matter how unlikely, or seemingly ill advised, and this is yet another example, with all the remixers totally and reverentially respecting YLT's aesthetic while making something new and fresh out of an already great song. De La Soul and RJD2 give more of a break beat groove to the song not adding any of their own vocals which we appreciate, while the Pete Rock remix is for sure the most up front hip-hop one of the bunch. We also know how much these artists mean to Yo La Tengo, as James McNew gushed with excitement about how excited he was to meet Pete Rock, De La Soul and RJD2 the last time he was in town and came to hang out on Irwin's radio show on KUSF. There are few bands you can just blindly trust everything they put out into the world, and YLT are one of them.
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (De La Soul Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (RJD2 Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)"

YO LA TENGO Here To Fall Remixes (Matador) 12" 11.98
The leadoff track from Yo La Tengo's latest album, Popular Songs, gets the remix treatment from three of the band's favorite hip-hop beat makers. De La Soul, RJD2, and Pete Rock all take their turn remixing "Here To Fall". While we usually aren't the biggest fans of rock bands going the remix route, especially the HIP HOP remix route, luckily Yo La Tengo have always managed to pull of whatever they wanted to do, no matter how unlikely, or seemingly ill advised, and this is yet another example, with all the remixers totally and reverentially respecting YLT's aesthetic while making something new and fresh out of an already great song. De La Soul and RJD2 give more of a break beat groove to the song not adding any of their own vocals which we appreciate, while the Pete Rock remix is for sure the most up front hip-hop one of the bunch. We also know how much these artists mean to Yo La Tengo, as James McNew gushed with excitement about how excited he was to meet Pete Rock, De La Soul and RJD2 the last time he was in town and came to hang out on Irwin's radio show on KUSF. There are few bands you can just blindly trust everything they put out into the world, and YLT are one of them.
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (De La Soul Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (RJD2 Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)"

YO LA TENGO I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass (Matador) cd 14.98
It's been a little over 3 years since YLT graced us with their Summer Sun and we have to say we were starting to get a little antsy. We have pretty much worn out all of our copies of their back catalog. Every album, every single. Everyone here can probably boast a different favorite YLT record, but we all knew we needed some new sounds from them pronto. And here we have it, and it does not disappoint. In fact it delights, confuses, and makes us fall in love with them all over again. While the last couple records (which are some of our favorites!) had a pretty consistent feeling and tone (more on the soft and somber side of things) this is a YLT record that truly connects with all their various sides and shades, moods and sounds. Bookended with two long rockers clocking in at around 11 minutes each, the 12 songs in between touch on all the different sounds Yo La Tengo have explored over the years. From their perfect, super catchy indie rock, to sad and melancholy dreampop to a surprising and irresistible dance number, to some groovy horn section action, and all stops in between. I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass most definitely sounds like a band connecting with every part of their past, present and future. And like plenty of other YLT records, it blossoms and reveals secret after secret on repeated listens. A record that demands you spend time with it, but who needs to be told, one listen and that's all you'll want to do....
Viva La Yo La Tengo!
MPEG Stream: "I Should Have Known Better"
MPEG Stream: "Mr. Tough"
MPEG Stream: "I Feel Like Going Home"
MPEG Stream: "The Story Of Yo La Tengo"

YO LA TENGO I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass (Matador) 2lp 17.98
It's been a little over 3 years since YLT graced us with their Summer Sun and we have to say we were starting to get a little antsy. We have pretty much worn out all of our copies of their back catalog. Every album, every single. Everyone here can probably boast a different favorite YLT record, but we all knew we needed some new sounds from them pronto. And here we have it, and it does not disappoint. In fact it delights, confuses, and makes us fall in love with them all over again. While the last couple records (which are some of our favorites!) had a pretty consistent feeling and tone (more on the soft and somber side of things) this is a YLT record that truly connects with all their various sides and shades, moods and sounds. Bookended with two long rockers clocking in at around 11 minutes each, the 12 songs in between touch on all the different sounds Yo La Tengo have explored over the years. From their perfect, super catchy indie rock, to sad and melancholy dreampop to a surprising and irresistible dance number, to some groovy horn section action, and all stops in between. I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass most definitely sounds like a band connecting with every part of their past, present and future. And like plenty of other YLT records, it blossoms and reveals secret after secret on repeated listens. A record that demands you spend time with it, but who needs to be told, one listen and that's all you'll want to do....
Viva La Yo La Tengo!
MPEG Stream: "I Should Have Known Better"
MPEG Stream: "Mr. Tough"
MPEG Stream: "I Feel Like Going Home"
MPEG Stream: "The Story Of Yo La Tengo"

YO LA TENGO I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One (Matador) cd 10.98
Yo La Tengo put a lot of lovin' into each of their albums and over the years have moved further and further away from the raw electric guitar feedback outbursts of their early songs in favor of warm, pretty organ drone lines -- leaning towards a more overall mellow grooviness. But they've done so without sacrificing any of their ultra catchy pop hooks, and for that we are ever so happy and grateful!

YO LA TENGO I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One (Matador) lp 26.00
Back print on vinyl!! Now all heavy duty 180 gram. Here's what we had to say the first time around..
Yo La Tengo put a lot of lovin' into each of their albums and over the years have moved further and further away from the raw electric guitar feedback outbursts of their early songs in favor of warm, pretty organ drone lines -- leaning towards a more overall mellow grooviness. But they've done so without sacrificing any of their ultra catchy pop hooks, and for that we are ever so happy and grateful!

YO LA TENGO Is Murdering The Classics (Egon) cd 17.98
Ahhh, Yo La Tengo! Such a band you gotta love... and such a band who loves ya back! With Ira, Georgia and James you get no fancy stuff, no gimmicks, no high fashion. You simply get Yo La Tengo, and they've endeared themselves to legions around the globe. Their hearts are in the right place whether it be making their own awesome music or in this case playing random musical requests to raise funds for beloved radio station WFMU. Released on the band's own label Egon Records, this 70 minute cd compiles the band's on-air performances of tunes requested by listeners in return for a monetary pledge during the station's annual fundraising marathon from 1996 through 2003. They tackle tunes by X-Ray Spex, Eurythmics, Jonathan Richman, Sun Ra, Brian Eno, Hues Corporation, Billy Joel, The Knack, Beach Boys, Yoko Ono, Bachman Turner Overdrive, T-Rex, Archie Bell, Sonic Youth, Rocket From The Tombs, Iggy Pop, Replacements, Petula Clark, and oh so many more. One thing's for sure -- despite their seeming encyclopedic knowledge of music they'll never cut it as a cover band! The title is not an understatement. Heck, they themselves have used the term "dreadful"! Still, it's YLT, and their valiant attempts, on-the-spot figurin' out, muffed lyrics, and strained singalongs played out with gleeful reckless abandon are nothing short of charming and often downright hilarious. The last panel of the terrific Adrian Tomine drawn comicstrip cover art sez it best, "Well, I guess it's for a good cause..."
MPEG Stream: "Oh Bondage! Up Yours!"
MPEG Stream: "The Hokey Pokey"
MPEG Stream: "Downtown"

YO LA TENGO Little Honda (Matador) cdep 9.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
If Fakebook wasn't enough for you, then here's another long-overdue Yo La Tengo release composed entirely of covers. This time they give the YLT treatment to Sandy Denny, the Kinks, Beach Boys, Queen, and more. Outstanding.

YO LA TENGO May I Sing With Me (Alias) cd 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Some of Yo La Tengo's best and dreamiest pop songs invariably got bullied out of the way by the Ira Kaplan's earlier tendencies towards Sonic Youth-ian blasts of ear-piercing guitar distortion. Such is often the case on their 1992 album May I Sing With Me, but even still, the melodic genius and intelligent, unwaveringly heartfelt lyrical sentiments stand strong and shine through the dissonance. Don't even think of calling yourself a Yo La Tengo fan if a well-worn copy (or two) of this album doesn't grace your record collection. My (Cup's) second favorite Yo La Tengo album next to Painful. Highlights: "Upside Down" and "Detouring America With Horns". Man, I could listen to those two songs back to back on repeat all day long... in fact, maybe I'll go do that now!

YO LA TENGO Mr. Tough / I'm Your Puppet (Matador) 7" 3.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
No one understands record making or music loving more than YLT. Here they offer the perfect 7" hot on the heels of their great new album. The A-side is the unexpected dance hit from the new record, "Mr. Tough" and the flipside is another in a long line of great covers, this time they tackle the old soul classic "I'm Your Puppet". Could be just the perfect stocking stuffer to get a hold of early for that special YLT lover in your life.
MPEG Stream: "Mr. Tough"

YO LA TENGO Now 2000 / Excalibur 2001 (Egon) 2x7" 9.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Yo La Tengo's selfreleased double 7" "Now 2000 / Excalibur 2001" showcases their collaboration with New York jazz greats so underground they come from the subway (literally!). If you're thinking this will be Yo La Tengo's bittersweet pop with jazzy flares, you'd be wrong. Rather it's a Yo La Tengo keeping up with the free jazz of Roy Campbell Jr, Daniel Carter, and Sabir Mateen.

YO LA TENGO Nuclear War (Matador) cd ep 3.98
Yo La's new ep sees them covering (in multiple versions) the obscure, though recently reissued, Sun Ra song "Nuclear War." First things first, if you're expecting the dreamy loveliness of YLT's last album And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, be forewarned: their four versions of "Nuclear War" are nothing like that! Actually the music on the first two is much more in line with the heavier, groovier stretches of their Sounds Of The Sounds Of Science soundtrack. Georgia, Ira and James have been known to throw an aural curve ball now and again -- detouring from their usual warm, soothing pop path to reveal their respectable jazz inclinations. A good example was their self-released but sadly out of print double 7" that featured their collaborations with New York free jazz artists Roy Campbell Jr, Daniel Carter, and Sabir Mateen.
Now two years later, they've offered another glimpse. It's a glimpse that has already received such polarized response from those who've heard it in the store (sorta like the Langley Schools Music Project), that you might just wanna scoop it up to see what the fuss is about. And heck, it's only four bucks!
But...we still have to ask, "what were they thinking?" I mean, we're all for the political, anti-war statement being made, but they should have picked a song that didn't require Ira Kaplan to soullessly chant "motherfucker". It just sounds dumb. And then to hear children chanting it too in Version #2? Egads! No, the impact of having kids singing those lyrics isn't lost on us, the stickiness is having them echo the deadpan delivery of Kaplan. The Sun Ra original was a cosmic jazz funk piece in the "Space Is The Place" vein, but as much as YLT like it, they can't pull it off, particularly with regards to the vocals. Makes for pretty difficult listening, but not the good kind! Memo to YLT: protest songs that can only be enjoyed as painful novelty tracks ain't gonna stop no wars... Fortunately, Version #3 is an extended fifteen minute jam that redeems this release considerably with their jazz friends Campbell, Carter and Mateen making a reappearance along with other downtown NYC jazzers Susie Ibarra and Josh Maddell. Oh, and then to mix things up even more, Version #4 is a remix by Mike Ladd. But by that point, do you want to hear more "Nuclear War"?
Covering Sun Ra is much like covering The Residents or The Monks (as was recently done) -- arguably pretty futile 'cause each are far beyond the music itself. Furthermore as is often the case with covers, maybe this just should've been reserved for their live performance mode and not committed to tape. Let's just hope that YLT aren't now responsible for causing fans of theirs who've not heard Sun Ra to never check his stuff out merely because their interpretations of this particular (and not entirely representative) composition fall flat. Please go to our review of the Atavistic reissue of Sun Ra's "Nuclear War" for a side-by-side RealAudio comparision...
RealAudio clip: "Version #2"
RealAudio clip: "Version #3"

YO LA TENGO Nuclear War (Matador) 12" 3.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Yo La's new ep sees them covering (in multiple versions) the obscure, though recently reissued, Sun Ra song "Nuclear War." First things first, if you're expecting the dreamy loveliness of YLT's last album And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, be forewarned: their four versions of "Nuclear War" are nothing like that! Actually the music on the first two is much more in line with the heavier, groovier stretches of their Sounds Of The Sounds Of Science soundtrack. Georgia, Ira and James have been known to throw an aural curve ball now and again -- detouring from their usual warm, soothing pop path to reveal their respectable jazz inclinations. A good example was their self-released but sadly out of print double 7" that featured their collaborations with New York free jazz artists Roy Campbell Jr, Daniel Carter, and Sabir Mateen.
Now two years later, they've offered another glimpse. It's a glimpse that has already received such polarized response from those who've heard it in the store (sorta like the Langley Schools Music Project), that you might just wanna scoop it up to see what the fuss is about. And heck, it's only four bucks!
But...we still have to ask, "what were they thinking?" I mean, we're all for the political, anti-war statement being made, but they should have picked a song that didn't require Ira Kaplan to soullessly chant "motherfucker". It just sounds dumb. And then to hear children chanting it too in Version #2? Egads! No, the impact of having kids singing those lyrics isn't lost on us, the stickiness is having them echo the deadpan delivery of Kaplan. The Sun Ra original was a cosmic jazz funk piece in the "Space Is The Place" vein, but as much as YLT like it, they can't pull it off, particularly with regards to the vocals. Makes for pretty difficult listening, but not the good kind! Memo to YLT: protest songs that can only be enjoyed as painful novelty tracks ain't gonna stop no wars... Fortunately, Version #3 is an extended fifteen minute jam that redeems this release considerably with their jazz friends Campbell, Carter and Mateen making a reappearance along with other downtown NYC jazzers Susie Ibarra and Josh Maddell. Oh, and then to mix things up even more, Version #4 is a remix by Mike Ladd. But by that point, do you want to hear more "Nuclear War"?
Covering Sun Ra is much like covering The Residents or The Monks (as was recently done) -- arguably pretty futile 'cause each are far beyond the music itself. Furthermore as is often the case with covers, maybe this just should've been reserved for their live performance mode and not committed to tape. Let's just hope that YLT aren't now responsible for causing fans of theirs who've not heard Sun Ra to never check his stuff out merely because their interpretations of this particular (and not entirely representative) composition fall flat. Please go to our review of the Atavistic reissue of Sun Ra's "Nuclear War" for a side-by-side RealAudio comparision...

YO LA TENGO Painful (Matador) cd 10.98
A most excellent album from Ira, Georgia and James. Bridging their earlier feedback-laden Sonic Youth-iness with their more recent gradual move towards dreamy organ prettiness. This cd contains one of their loveliest songs ever... 'Nowhere Near'. Go on give it a listen. You deserve it! Beautiful and breathtaking. An absolute aQ favorite! In fact if we had to pick one YLT album as a desert island disc, it might very well be this one (although May I Sing With Me is a close second!).
MPEG Stream: "Nowhere Near"
MPEG Stream: "From A Motel 6"

YO LA TENGO Painful (Matador) lp 15.98
Finally, one of our all time favorite Yo La Tengo albums gets reissued on vinyl! Released in 1993, Painful represented a really important moment for and shift in YLT's sonic scope. While their early records were brimming with feedback and displayed a Sonic Youth like approach to rock, Painful fully introduced the more dreamy, blissed out and intoxicating side of their sound which they have continued to develop and master as the years have gone by.
Painful opens with the bittersweet "Big Day Coming", and gorgeously unfolds with some of the most beautiful and sad pop songs ever recorded, including "Nowhere Near" which still freezes us in our tracks and gives us goosebumps every time we hear it. While later albums like And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out, and I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, might be more widely recognized as classic albums, Painful really was the blueprint for the sounds that would evolve making Yo La Tengo one of the best bands of our generation. An absolute must have!
MPEG Stream: "Nowhere Near"
MPEG Stream: "From A Motel 6"

YO LA TENGO Popular Songs (Matador) cd 13.98
They never ever disappoint, in fact more often than not, they totally blow us away. And with Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo remind us once again why they are one of the best bands of the last quarter century. From start to finish this is an album with so many different sounds, styles, moods and motifs, yet it's all so deliciously Yo La Tengo! Like their best albums, the first time you hear this record you know it's going to be an album that you'll listen to for the rest of your life. And in this day and age of disposable culture it's so incredibly refreshing to have YLT, whose music has such a timeless element, and sounds so personal and passionate, and will undoubtedly stand the test of time. YLT never aspired to be the hippest or trendiest or coolest band around. Simply stated, slow and steady wins the race! They've definitely won, and continue to win, and in turn so have we. They've made their indelible mark by just being themselves, and when it comes to pure substance it just doesn't get more richly rewarding than YLT.
Popular Songs is like an album that represent the best friend we all wish we could have. Someone you can turn to when it's time to get deep or vent some bittersweet sadness, someone you can also have fun sleepover parties with and let loose and experience total joy together. These are a set of songs that really do hit at almost the entire spectrum of emotion, and the pacing/sequencing of the album just couldn't be more perfect. Whether being melted away by one of Georgia Hubley's beautifully aching drift-away numbers or being swept up in a Motown like fury or rocked by a straight ahead burner, there is such immaculate skill in the crafting of each song.
The album features wonderfully lush string arrangements provided by Richard Evans, the legendary soul pioneer who contributed so much to the amazing '60s Chicago/Cadet soul scene, who many of you might know and love for his work on the great Afro-Harping album by Dorothy Ashby. So awesome, and yet after taking so many wonderful twist and turns, it is the ending of the album that really leaves us so stunned and in awe.
The last two tracks are very long and mostly instrumental. "The Fireside" is eleven minutes of total shoegaze bliss, that puts most actual 'shoegaze' bands to shame, letting the listener get lost in a slow glowing haze. And then the album's closer "And The Glitter Is Gone", an almost sixteen minute sonic smolder brimming with a droning and triumphant psychedelic spirit that we could listen to forever.
One of those rare records that is all 'favorite songs', every listen, a new song gets stuck in your head and fills your heart, only to be supplanted by another the next time, and on it goes, favorite after favorite after favorite. We think it's fair to say this is a total masterpiece from one of our favorite groups!
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall"
MPEG Stream: "If It's True"
MPEG Stream: "The Fireside"
MPEG Stream: "And The Glitter Is Gone"

YO LA TENGO Popular Songs (Matador) 2lp 21.00
They never ever disappoint, in fact more often than not, they totally blow us away. And with Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo remind us once again why they are one of the best bands of the last quarter century. From start to finish this is an album with so many different sounds, styles, moods and motifs, yet it's all so deliciously Yo La Tengo! Like their best albums, the first time you hear this record you know it's going to be an album that you'll listen to for the rest of your life. And in this day and age of disposable culture it's so incredibly refreshing to have YLT, whose music has such a timeless element, and sounds so personal and passionate, and will undoubtedly stand the test of time. YLT never aspired to be the hippest or trendiest or coolest band around. Simply stated, slow and steady wins the race! They've definitely won, and continue to win, and in turn so have we. They've made their indelible mark by just being themselves, and when it comes to pure substance it just doesn't get more richly rewarding than YLT.
Popular Songs is like an album that represent the best friend we all wish we could have. Someone you can turn to when it's time to get deep or vent some bittersweet sadness, someone you can also have fun sleepover parties with and let loose and experience total joy together. These are a set of songs that really do hit at almost the entire spectrum of emotion, and the pacing/sequencing of the album just couldn't be more perfect. Whether being melted away by one of Georgia Hubley's beautifully aching drift-away numbers or being swept up in a Motown like fury or rocked by a straight ahead burner, there is such immaculate skill in the crafting of each song.
The album features wonderfully lush string arrangements provided by Richard Evans, the legendary soul pioneer who contributed so much to the amazing '60s Chicago/Cadet soul scene, who many of you might know and love for his work on the great Afro-Harping album by Dorothy Ashby. So awesome, and yet after taking so many wonderful twist and turns, it is the ending of the album that really leaves us so stunned and in awe.
The last two tracks are very long and mostly instrumental. "The Fireside" is eleven minutes of total shoegaze bliss, that puts most actual 'shoegaze' bands to shame, letting the listener get lost in a slow glowing haze. And then the album's closer "And The Glitter Is Gone", an almost sixteen minute sonic smolder brimming with a droning and triumphant psychedelic spirit that we could listen to forever.
One of those rare records that is all 'favorite songs', every listen, a new song gets stuck in your head and fills your heart, only to be supplanted by another the next time, and on it goes, favorite after favorite after favorite. We think it's fair to say this is a total masterpiece from one of our favorite groups!
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall"
MPEG Stream: "If It's True"
MPEG Stream: "The Fireside"
MPEG Stream: "And The Glitter Is Gone"

YO LA TENGO President YLT/New Wave Hot Dogs (Matador) cd 14.98
Cheers to Matador/YLT for seeing the need and filling it. People want these early albums so much, we can't even keep the expensive import of this cd in stock. Now available at a domestic price: both albums plus a song from an early 7". Strongly recommended.

YO LA TENGO Prisoners of Love: A Smattering Of Scintillating Senescent Songs 1985-2003 (Matador) 3cd 17.98
Matador Records strangely opted to release this concurrently as both a double cd and a triple cd, we've opted to carry just the 3cd set 'cause it's only a couple of bucks more for a whole lot more (well, if you *really* want the 2cd version we can certainly order one for you)! The menage-a-trois has the disc that every Yo La Tengo lover's gonna want and need. In case you can't tell from the title, you might consider the first two cds to be sort of a 'greatest hits' collection (although the word 'hit' seems somewhat incongruous when applied to this particular band, doesn't it?). You might also think of this as a pretty concise overview of the band's recorded body of work. The funny thing is that Yo La Tengo is the type of band whose fans are so devoted that they pretty much don't miss a single release that comes out. So the first two discs of this set might seem redundant to those diehard YLT fanatics. Yo la tengo, indeed! But who's complaining? At the very least this serves as a terrific YLT mix tape displaying all the wonderful, remarkably varied shades of the band (from their pre-Matador days even) -- the only song that we noticed was 'missing' was "Nowhere Near" from their album Painful... one of their best Georgia-sung songs *ever*. Ah well, surely other folks' will find other personal faves absent too, but such is the case with 'best of' collections, right? Someone had to choose, and that someone wasn't you. The only track that we wish was NOT included is their nearly unbearable cover of Sun Ra's Nuclear War". We didn't like it the first time we heard it on their 2002 ep. As we said back then, it's "difficult listening, but not the good kind."
But back to the third disc o' rarities and outtakes (complete with its own booklet filled with handwritten liner notes)... it's darn tootin' terrific! All on its own, it's well worth the price of admission. Sixteen songs (five of which are previously unreleased) including their demo for "Big Day Coming", "acoustic versions of "Tom Courtenay" and "Decora" as well as Kevin Shields' remix of "Autumn Sweater". They did get our hopes up when we saw that song #6 was their version of a song called "Dreaming", but it's another Sun Ra song, not their super-duper cover of Blondie's hit.
This whole set effectively encapsulates Yo La Tengo's journey of ever-evolving musical adventures -- now twenty years long and showing no signs of stopping! They're smart, crafty big-hearted pop explorers who need no big bells and whistles. Often their most potent material may simply be composed of Georgia or Ira's drowsy voice melting into a lone organ drone and sparse shuffling drum beat, while at other times it's the bristly feedback-y crunch of electric guitar, a warm flush of countrified acoustic guitar or a swooning jazz-inflected horn line. Recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Upside Down"
MPEG Stream: "Pencil Test"

YO LA TENGO Ride The Tiger (Matador) cd 14.98

YO LA TENGO Saturday (Matador UK) cdep 8.98
The festiveness of Yo La Tengo has seen some depressive interludes, and the single for "Saturday" is such a moment with minor chord guitars, sustained organs, and some primitive drum machine (similar to what makes label-mates Arab Strap so charming in their slouching mope rock). The two b-sides "Danelectro 2 & 3" which are variations on a theme are similarly restrained. "Saturday" itself is from "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out", their most sedate album since "Painful" (release date: Febuary 22, 2000). Import cd single.

YO LA TENGO Stupid Things (Matador) 12" 8.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Indie rock fans have been waiting since 2009's Popular Songs for new music from Hoboken's finest. Well, good news - Yo La Tengo are in the midst recording a new album now, due out in 2013!
And, Matador has just released this teaser 12", featuring an apparently totally different, alternate version of a nice new song, entitled "Stupid Things", that will also appear on said upcoming album. The A side also features an exclusive remix by none other than Eye Yamantaka from Japan's mighty Boredoms! For that alone we know lots of folks are gonna want this, Boredoms and YLT fans both. Then, on the flip, there's another version of the song, its original extended instrumental recording, with indeed plenty of guitar improv from Ira.
The 12", which comes with a free download coupon, is limited to just 1500 numbered copies, and we won't have it for long...

YO LA TENGO Summer Sun (Matador) cd 13.98
Regardless of what style or mood they choose - this time it's very '70s soft rock influenced - Yo La Tengo always create music that reveals their deep personal and artistic bonds. Clearly they know each other very very well. It's so wonderfully evident in the ways the three interact - their voices and instruments weaving together so effortlessly. Summer Sun flows gracefully from the gentlest lullabies into more funky and playful, but still super mellow numbers much like those on their Sounds Of The Sounds Of Science soundtrack. A lovely display of this is on the sixth song "Tiny Birds". Beautiful. Ira, Georgia and James extend their warm familiarity and fondness to the listeners as well - always both welcoming and welcome. Really, what more can be said? The high quality and consistency of their last four or five albums speaks for itself. Very recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Tiny Birds"
MPEG Stream: "Beach Party Tonight"

YO LA TENGO Summer Sun (Matador) 2lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Regardless of what style or mood they choose - this time it's very '70s soft rock influenced - Yo La Tengo always create music that reveals their deep personal and artistic bonds. Clearly they know each other very very well. It's so wonderfully evident in the ways the three interact - their voices and instruments weaving together so effortlessly. Summer Sun flows gracefully from the gentlest lullabies into more funky and playful, but still super mellow numbers much like those on their Sounds Of The Sounds Of Science soundtrack. A lovely display of this is on the sixth song "Tiny Birds". Beautiful. Ira, Georgia and James extend their warm familiarity and fondness to the listeners as well - always both welcoming and welcome. Really, what more can be said? The high quality and consistency of their last four or five albums speaks for itself. Very recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Tiny Birds"

YO LA TENGO The Sounds Of The Sounds of Science (Egon) cd 14.98
In the store, we're still always selling copies of this apparently-not-so-widely-distributed YLT disc, so we thought we'd relist it for the benefit of any mail-order type customers who weren't paying attention when we first mentioned it way back in 2002 on list #138:
Although Cup is a huge admirer of the dreamy works of both Yo La Tengo and surrealist filmmaker Jean Painleve, she was absolutely crestfallen when she missed out on this very special evening at the fabulous Castro Theater last year. Yup, couldn't get a ticket to witness Ira, Georgia and James perform the soundtrack to Painleve's hypnotic sealife imagery on the big Castro screen. Sadly of course the visuals don't come along with the sounds on this cd, so you kinda miss the event's magical chemistry between picture and live sound. However, what you do get is an absolutely mesmerizing instrumental album. Please note: this is a fuller studio version of their performance. They've successfully captured the otherworldly wonder of Painleve's filmworks while still maintaining their distinct warm, enveloping Yo La Tengo sound. The first track titled "Sea Urchins" features sweeping feathery guitar and chiming tones that float along languidly to a steady bass and drum rhythm. If you removed the sealife cinematic context, it'd be just as suited for a sleek cocktail lounge, although I'd like to make note of the one odd thing about this particular track - the whirring sound that sort of made me think "is someone vacuuming next door?" Anyways, "Shrimp Stories" is a much more frantic, driving and almost funky segment. Sure caught me in their groove. Gradually it all descends into a more abstract tenuous viscose roar for "Liquid Crystals" and "The Sea Horse" resurfaces into a shimmery organ pulse. Breathtaking.
MPEG Stream: "Sea Urchins"
MPEG Stream: "Liquid Crystals"

YO LA TENGO They Shoot, We Score (Egon) cd 14.98
Over the years, Yo La Tengo have proven to be masters at creating such evocative atmosphere and feeling and emotion in their songs. So it was only a matter of time that wise film directors would seek them out to create scores for their films.
Between the years 2005 and 2006 four different films employed the (maybe not so) surprising soundtrack prowess of YLT, their film music, not all that removed from their band music, creating lingering bittersweet sounds both classy and sophisticated, lush and intimate.
For the score to Old Joy they were joined by Smokey Hormel on guitar to create the perfect hazy sounds for meandering roadtrip and a bit of Northwest exploration. For Junebug they employed a string and horn ensemble adding fluttery floral ambience. For Game 6 the band went at it alone creating the most dynamic and eclectic set of the bunch showing once again what amazing range YLT posses. The disc concludes with their contributions to the John Cameron Mitchell film Shortbus, adding some nice, light and charming sonic snippets to that sexually provocative/honest film.
Aside from being perfect for film music, we also always appreciated just how painterly the instrumental side of Yo La Tengo managed to be, conjuring so many moods and images with such a nice wide palette of delicately employed sounds. We want to give this to all our artist friends as we think it would be the perfect record to have playing in the studio when folks go to create art of their own. This collection came out last year but we only just got in enough of them to list, so grab one as fast as you can, 'cause if we run out we're not sure how quickly we will get them back in stock, since they were sent to us directly by the band (who says rockstars don't go to the post office!?) on the same day they left to go on a big tour!
MPEG Stream: "Getting Lost"
MPEG Stream: "Love Chant"
MPEG Stream: "Wizard's Sleeve"

YO LA TENGO Today Is The Day! (Matador) cd ep 5.98
Yo La Tengo are like the Energizer bunnies of indie-rock, aren't they? There's always a new album or ep and, not only that, it's always usually pretty good. So, get set, here's a fine new six-song ep to add to your collection. The first three tracks are derived from the sessions for YLT's Summer Sun album that came out earlier this year. You get a more 'rock' version of "Today Is The Day" (which appeared on Summer Sun in a milder version) along with two other tracks that were cut from Summer Sun 'cause they also just rocked too hard, which didn't quite fit with the rest of that album's material. But they sound great here. Then, getting away from the rock, there's also a lovely Georgia-sung cover version of "Needle Of Death" by British folk guitarist Bert Jansch, a previously-unreleased mellow instrumental groover called "Dr. Crash", and a live-on-the-radio acoustic take on "Cherry Chapstick" from YLT's And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out. Real nice. Oh, and downtown NYC free jazz bassist/big shot William Parker shows up on one track, playing not bass but double reed horn, by the way.
MPEG Stream: "Outsmartener"
MPEG Stream: "Needle Of Death"

YO LA TENGO Today Is The Day! (Matador) 12" 5.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Yo La Tengo are like the Energizer bunnies of indie-rock, aren't they? There's always a new album or ep and, not only that, it's always usually pretty good. So, get set, here's a fine new six-song ep to add to your collection. The first three tracks are derived from the sessions for YLT's Summer Sun album that came out earlier this year. You get a more 'rock' version of "Today Is The Day" (which appeared on Summer Sun in a milder version) along with two other tracks that were cut from Summer Sun 'cause they also just rocked too hard, which didn't quite fit with the rest of that album's material. But they sound great here. Then, getting away from the rock, there's also a lovely Georgia-sung cover version of "Needle Of Death" by British folk guitarist Bert Jansch, a previously-unreleased mellow instrumental groover called "Dr. Crash", and a live-on-the-radio acoustic take on "Cherry Chapstick" from YLT's And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out. Real nice. Oh, and downtown NYC free jazz bassist/big shot William Parker shows up on one track, playing not bass but double reed horn, by the way.