Lock Down This Rock!! – 22 – Yo La Tengo/Fade

I like music. I have a band. I’m gonna tell you all about it. 

 What I look for in rock: guitars, melody, guitars, energy, guitars, and guitars.


The illustrious Tom Scharpling, he of The Best Show on WFMU, introduced the new Yo La Tengo with a warning: don’t take things for granted, because they won’t be around forever. I think that’s a fine sentiment to attribute to Fade.

For a band that’s been around for 25 years, I don’t have much of their output. Their particular brand of low energy rock has been toned to a very fine edge on Fade. The post-rock kids vaulted YLT to fame, but I never though they really belonged in the category. As I’m not much of a fan of post rock. Ira is always quick to bust out the most tasteful, blistering rock solo in the middle of a wandering song. Keeping the course. Plus, you get some songs where you get to pretend that Mo Tucker didn’t turn out all tea party crazy, and still writes fine pop numbers.

Timing. After all these years, Yo La Tengo knows how to keep a song languid, but not boring. Meditative, but not tiresome. It’s perfect for the winter blues. I know, I’ve been self medicating with Fade.

Check ’em out!