Yo La Tengo: Stuff Like That There (Covers) Vinyl LP

Fourteenth full length album from Hoboken’s Yo La Tengo. Stuff Like That There continues where 1990’s Fakebook left off, throwing two new compositions in with a wide array of covers and some new takes on some of their older material. Just like its predecessor the album is more folk oriented, the guitar amps and feedback swapped out for acoustic guitars and subdued, hushed tones. The band takes on The Cure’s classic “Friday I’m In Love,” and oldies like Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and Darlene McCrea’s “My Heart’s Not In It.” They turn to some of their 80s and 90s indie rock peers as well, rendering beautiful versions of songs from Louisville’s Antietam, Hoboken hero the Special Pillow, and Ohio outfit Great Plains. When they cover themselves their song selection does not allow much room for interpretation. Popular Songs’ “All Your Secrets” and Electr-o-Pura deep cut “The Ballad of Red Buckets” were already mellow enough. However, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’s churning centerpiece, “Deeper Into the Movies,” gets a sleepy remake that strips the song down to its core. Fourteen tracks in all. Released by Matador.

• music label: Matador 2015

reviewed by sleepy mcbee 09/2015

.