mon 02/12/2024

Album: Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World | reviews, news & interviews

Album: Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World

Album: Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World

Veteran cult band stay fuzzy

Yo La Tengo - not reaching for the mainstream

Yo La Tengo’s new disc would appear to be an homage to the indie scene of the mid 1980s: a place before baggy beats became the groove du jour and where dancing with wild abandon was somewhat of a rare occurrence.

Indeed, in This Stupid World maudlin and distracted vocals, fuzzy guitars and spacey vibes predominate on tunes that seem to be, with a couple of exceptions, firmly aimed at the head rather than the hips.

This Stupid World may be a bit of a juvenile title, but it actually marks some 40 years since Yo La Tengo first got together in Hoboken, New Jersey and a couple of years since their instrumental set, We Have Amnesia Sometimes. In fact, its sounds would not have sounded in the least bit surprising when Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley first started making tunes together. In places there are mellow and woozy shades of the Spacemen 3 and even the Cowboy Junkies. This is especially true of the dreamy and spaced out “Aselestine” and “Apology Letter”. In others, especially on “Brain Capers” and the title track, where the tempo is nudged up a bit, the more riotous A Place To Bury Strangers seem to have been a primary source of inspiration. While on the “Tonight’s Episode”, motoric beats accompany the psychedelic vibes.

Yo La Tengo have always been one of those bands who have suffered from the somewhat backhanded compliment of being described as a “quintessential critics’ band” and that is unlikely to change with this release. They certainly don’t appear to be reaching for mainstream success with lyrics like “Prepare to die / Prepare yourself while there’s still time” on “Until It Happens” and “This stupid world – it’s killing me / This stupid world – it’s all we have” on the title track. Perhaps after four decades together, they are more than happy with where they find themselves though.

Maudlin and distracted vocals, fuzzy guitars and spacey vibes predominate on tunes that seem to be firmly aimed at the head rather than the hips

rating

Editor Rating: 
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Explore topics

Share this article

Comments

So you're annoyed at Yo La Tengo for not being a dancey band? Or not reaching for the mainstream? This seems like a weirdly passive-aggressive review.

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters