Customer Reviews

Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, Yo La Tengo is the most underrated great band out there, and this collection of rarities and B-sides proves it. While the instrumental disk may challenge, the majority of disk one proves the luminary talent of the band. At times plaintive, playful, or just downright noisey, the music shines.

This is an okay album, with some really good tracks, but it has the obvious problem that any collection of B-sides and outtakes has: outtakes are taken out for the simple reason that they're not strong enough for album release. Unfortunately, they're even weaker when they're taken out of the context of the other songs they were recorded with and jumbled together on an album by themselves.

I give it three stars simply because YLT outtakes are often still better than other artists' regular albums. Still, this is for fans and collectors only. Novices to YLT beware: you might get a completely wrong picture.

One of those compilations that fans love, "Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo" is a compilation of rarities by Yo La Tengo-- b-sides, soundtrack pieces, oddball compilation recordings, etc., recorded over the band's first decade or so of existence. Like any good collection of this sort, it paints an accurate picture of the band through their obscurities, and like most great bands, there's enough gems in the rarities to make this worth the investment.

Indeed, it's hard to believe that something like the raging cover of Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby" ended up a throwaway recording for a compilation-- turned into a fierce rock performance by the band with a staggering feedback-driven solo (among the best performed by Ira Kaplan), it's the kind of performance that can knock you out of your seat. And it's one of a number of standouts on this collection-- from the downtempo, burning, haunting "Demons" (from the score of I Shot Andy Warhol, featuring one of Georgia Hubley's best vocals) to extended instrumental feedback jam "Sunsquashed", there's quite a bit to love on here. And granted, there's some fluff here nad there that we could live without (straight-up punk song "Too Late"), none of it is exactly unlistenable.

In the end, "Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo" is a great compilation for any fan of the band. And by the way, for those interested in their rarities, the three disc version of Prisoners of Love: A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs 1985-2003 [3 disc] fills in some of the holes after this release.

Ira Kaplan's love of feedback, and Yo La Tengo's love of other people's rock and roll songs, is one of the greatest things going for guitar-based music these days. Get this at all costs; it's what VU could have been, with more talent.

There's some great stuff on disk 2: "Nutricia" and "One Self: Fish Girl" are beautiful and "Blitzkrieg Bop" is the best muzak you'll ever hear.

Delightful diversions from a band to which I've taken a special fondness. These outtakes convey the same introspective remoteness and sense of "attitude" indicative of the band's other works. I love the minimalist workings of the guitars, keys, and rhythm with just the right touch of noise. Listening to these two discs would make a long nighttime drive pass swiftly and pleasurably.
I'm certain any fan would enjoy this set.