Photo by Carlie Armstrong
This week Yo La Tengo announced the release of new record, Stuff Like That There, and they’re doing it in a distinctively Yo La Tengo way. Marking their 30th anniversary, the record will see the band interspersing new tracks with covers and reworked versions of their own songs. Covers have long been one of the signature aspects of Yo La Tengo’s output and make up a decent portion of their discography. Putting their distinctive mark on anything they play, their deep-crated music nerd knowledge is showcased on their compilations in live shows, but it’s put to the test with no rehearsal in exchange for $100 pledges at WFMU’s biannual pledge drive. Often, their covers serve as gateways to a world of music you would have never heard of without them.
Here are five of some of the best covers Yo La Tengo have done in studio:
"Roadrunner" (Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers)
Just one of the gems to come out of Yo La Tengo’s WFMU sessions, the band made this Velvet Underground-inspired track sound more White Light White Heat than Richman’s overproduced original. The mismatched guitar solo adds to the earnest sloppiness of this cover.
"Cast a Shadow" (Beat Happening)
Beat Happening’s minimalist romantic number is subject to a good dose of Yo La Tengo-fication with added depth in the form of a lead guitar and heady drums. Replacing Calvin Johnson’s sullen gravitas, Georgia Hubley floats in with airy coos.
"Somebody’s Baby" (Jackson Browne)
Ira Kaplan distorts the shit out of his guitar to remodel Browne’s super soft hit into a sludgy indie rock regulator.
"Needle of Death" (Bert Jansch)
Already a laidback acoustic track, Yo La Tengo forgoes the bounciness in Jansch’s vocals and fingerpicking for a more subdued approach from Hubley.
"Speeding Motorcycle" with Daniel Johnston
It’s been 25 years since Fakebook, the record where Yo La Tengo first released this song. This WFMU marathon version has Yo La Tengo being demoted to backing band for a charming Daniel Johnston, who performs via phone.