Yo La Tengo: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out

It's funny how certain fads--either national*, or something that's liked within your immediate circle of friends-- can completely pass you by. Personally, up until a month ago, I had never seen a Stanley Kubrick movie. I can't begin to describe how many film-related conversations I've had to zone-out to for fear of making a complete ass of myself. The number of HBO drama series of which I've never seen a single episode (Sopranos, Deadwood, etc. . .I've seen one episode of The Wire) is embarrassing considering how much I love TV. Yo La Tengo was one of those bands that a majority of my friends really enjoy; but for one reason or another, I had never come gotten around to checking them out myself. With that being said, ATNTII-O is my very first foray into the group that possesses perhaps more Indie Cred than any other export in the history of New Jersey.

My assessment? Yeah, my friends' years of Yo La Tengo love are justified...as much as one album can justify. I was drawn to download this record over other YLT efforts due to my mood at the time. I read somewhere--possibly on emusic--that ATNTII-O was one of the group's more mellow records. And the album delivered. I was looking for some music to get mad-contemplative to, and this totally hit the spot.

My only beef with this record is how I feel it wanders more than necessary at both the beginning and the end. It's as if half the songs on the record were all done in one take. I like these "wandering" songs, but if they were a bit more concise, I feel like this album would have made me completely lose my shit. Maybe Yo La Tengo always has a tendency to excessively jam? Am I missing the point with this observation? Again, this is my first record of theirs. Either way, the middle of the record is just about perfect. From "Let's save Tony Orlando's House" to "Cherry Chapstick" is absolutely stunning...and "Madeline" too. It's precisely what I look for in a mid-to-low-tempo indie rock record.

If you're like me, and have waited to give yo La Tengo a try, I suggest you get. up. on 'em.And if you've been a Yo La Tengo fan for a long time, big up Homes!

*- I have never seen Titanic, and will refuse to view that shitstorm until the day I die. Kiss my ass, James Cameron! Go ahead and admit your infinite inferiority to Jerry Bruckheimer. Do it! It will ease the pain.