Customer Reviews

Fakebook

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This album should appeal to a broad audience. It is melodic and textured without ever being in danger of becoming prepackaged top 40 music. At first listen, the relationship between this album and the rest of YLT's oeuvre may appear puzzling or nonexistent. However, after a while I think every song on this album--even the covers--become recognizably Yo La Tengo's.

The two standout tracks, to my mind, are "Did I Tell You" (a softer rendition of a YLT original previously released on "New Wave Hot Dogs") and "Speeding Motorcycle." They're the sort of songs that belong on mix tapes for girlfriends.

If you've contemplated giving YLT a listen, I'd recommend you start here. If you love Sonic Youth, and someone told you to try Yo La Tengo, I'd start elsewhere...

Firstly It should be noted that this album isn't the usual collection of bittersweet, Autumnal wry Indie Rock & Alternative Pop/Rock songs that the band are usually famed(& applauded) for. That is a markedly radical one off change in direction for the band, instead choosing to focus on obscure covers songs, leaning toward Alt.Country-rock, (the country-esque "Can't forget/Griselda & Here comes my baby"), all subtly reflective & imitate. Before Stopping to include the 60's rock & roll of "Emulsified" (curiously soundly like rock & roll rocker "Monster Mash"), before heading down the indie rock that they earned their musical stripes for ("Speeding Motorcycle/The Summer/Did I tell you). Impeccably paced (The transitions from country/Americana tracks to Alternative/Indie rock is seamless), and It's nigh on impossible not to nod (or even sing) along to what's being played here, and a superbly focused diversion for Yo La Tengo. And more Distressingly a direction that band chose not to the further explore. So, with the vast majority of fantastic Yo la tengo albums leaning more towards focused Alternative / Indie Rock, this was a beautifully realised deviation for the band.

Yo La Tengo have had an up and down career, but on this album they were in peak form, combining obscure covers versions with original material. On some of their albums they tend to go overboard with guitar feedback and grungy sounds, but on Fakebook the material is all acoustic and fairly folky. It's a great album for summer listening (check out the song of the same title) or for any season. If you've l;iked some Yo La Tengo albums but were turned off by the excesses, give Fakebook a listen instead. It's a classic!

While most of Yo La Tengo's studio records have been filled with solid indie rock and droning noise pop, this record is all covers, most by obscure artists, and captures some of the elements that have made this Hoboken, NJ, band so special for decades.

Yo La Tengo has always peppered its live shows and lesser-known releases with a mix of covers - some expected and some unexpected - and their annual broadcast on WFMU radio in Jersey City, NJ where they will play any song requested by the call-in audience on the air have all earned them the title of "the world's greatest cover band."

Every song on this disc is pure pop genius as interpreted by Yo La Tengo. Play The Scene is Now's "Yellow Sarong" and Daniel Johnston's "Speeding Motorcycle," a few times and you'll be hooked (although all songs on this record are awesome).

Fakebook is really the album that put Yo La Tengo on the map. I wore this one out... it is strangely beautiful but really really odd. The songs are just so cool & different & melodic & likable. I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy this collection of mostly very obscure covers. After this album YLT gets into their feedback laden, art rock phase. Don't go buying that stuff looking for another Fakebook... though it has it's own merits. This is one everyone should have in their collection as it is the only thing to scratch this particular musical itch.

This is a beautiful record.

Although this CD consists mainly of covers, it remains lush and atmospheric, and very original. This record is beautiful, and will be considered so for a long time. The track, 'What Comes Next' is what Luscious Jackson will be aspiring to for the rest of their careers. Other tracks, like 'Andalucia', and 'What Can I Say' are a bit more quaint and inviting, but few will argue that retro-rock doesn't get much better than this.

If this is your first listen to Yo La Tengo, it will be misleading; subsequent CDs such as 'Painful' and 'Electr-O-Pura' are much more hard- edged and raw. 'Fakebook' will also get you there, and in a much more tender and engaging way.

For 'Yo La Tengo' fans new and old, this is an important recording.

I am embarrassed to say I have only recently discovered Yo La Tengo, but what a great pleasure in doing so. The music is so strongly evocative, picking up on the rich instrumentals and harmonies of the 60's, the Byrds immediately come to mind, yet updating them to the present. I thought they did a marvelous take on "Here Comes My Baby." Looks like I will have more happy hunting judging by their rich treasure trove of music.

You could probably find a better way to spend ($), but as far as compact discs go, this one is worth your money and time. Fakebook is the kind of CD you can buy for just about any of your friends and/or acquaintances, with an assurance that they will like it, or it will grow on them, or they already have it but it's probably scratched from being played so much. Either way, your reputation for having good taste will be cemented. Plus, I think "The Summer" is the all-time greatest song about that great season ever to be penned. Listen to it on a beach at sunset with your best girl. Or guy. You know what I mean. YLT are a national treasure. They deserve greatness. You deserve this disc. C'mon.

"Fakebook" is one of those rare records that you can listen to straight through without skipping tracks. Every song, whether it's the prairie-dust ache of "Can't Forget the Time" and "Oklahoma, USA, or the goofy, rockin' "Emulsified", this album is gentle, tuneful and resonates with feeling.

I know that this is the "commercial" Yo La Tengo album - that it's not as challenging as their other material. Well, if liking well-written songs (I know most of them are covers - but what fabulous choices!), tasteful musicianship, and thoughtfully produced works of art is mainstream, then I guess I'm mainstream!

Seriously, the fact that EVERYONE would like this album does not denigrate its quality. If anyone ever asks me for advice about buying CDs, one of the first words out of my mouth is always "Fakebook"! You won't be sorry!!

_Fakebook_ . . . what is there to say? Whatever their actual intentions, the beautiful sound of this mostly-cover album is a fitting testament to the great bands whom history (by means of radio apathy) overlooks. It's alternately inspiring and saddening - inspiring because that handful of people familiar with YLT love them for obvious reasons, saddening because they deserve the love of more than a handful.