Hoboken, New Jersey, once a busy place for the mob, a stomping ground for the young Frank Sinatra, and the birthplace of the music trio Yo La Tengo. Nearly Twenty years later the mobsters have been reduced to a HBO hit T.V. Series, Frank is dead and Yo La Tengo is still serving up delicious melodies on their new Matador release 'Summer Sun.'
Three years since their last release of the dark 'And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out.' The new album dawning campy typography, an abstract photo and a brightly colored beach ball is more upbeat than the last release but still soft and understated. The bittersweet trio consists of husband and wife duo Ira Kaplan (guitars/vocals) and Georgia Hubley (drums/vocals), bassist James McNew, as well as enlisting help of members of Lambchop/Calexico, Special Pillow, and Other Dimension of Music.
The thirteen-track disc drops in on 'Beach Party Tonight' which reminds me more of an early morning beach party I attended on hallucinogens, hanging in front of the tide pools with a group of friends. The mellow opener breathes sunrise and sparkles and shimmers with lush sounds of lightly patted drums, indistinct vocals, trumpet and tenor sax, and lush keyboards and vibes.
'Little Eyes' takes off with a catchy up-tempo groove; light vocals contributed by Georgia Hubley, and some interesting backwards guitar work.
'Nothing but you and Me' starts off with lightly tapped piano keys a groove-delic bass line, as Ian takes the mic for a jazzy whisper on the ethereal ballad.
The YLT friendly, 'Season of the Shark” is a heart-warming guitar jangle with inspirational lyrics, as well as the beautiful and triste lullaby 'Today is the Day.'
Bassist, James McNew takes the mic on 'Tiny Birds.' His last vocals were on 1997’s 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One.' The atmospheric Brian Eno-esque track floats airy keys and verbed guitars, and deep bass accompanied by a string arrangement.
The spacey 'How to make a Baby Elephant Float” contains a wood wind melody and jazzy guitars in contrast to the danceable 'Georgia Vs. Yo La Tengo' with electric wah wah guitars, funky keys, and tribal percussion, and swirling organs, sounding as if Beastie Boy's, Money Mark joined in for the fun, but no mention in the liner notes.
The album continues to flow with 'You don't have to be Sad” gentle vocals and piano and guitar arrangements backed by a Boards of Canada washy beat. 'Winter-A-Go-Go' a Gidget. beach party on ecstasy. The funky Manchester beats of 'Moonrock Mambo' features some Yo La Rappin.
The spacey free jazz 'Let's be Still' clocks in over 10 minutes, and the albums sun sets along the beach with a cover of Alex Chilton's song 'Take Care.'
Yo La Tengo completes a fun album and are always welcome in my CD disc changer for a spin. I'm looking forward to catching a live show this summer possibly at ATP 2003. |