Yo La Tengo, the 25-year-old Alternative Rock Band, are set to release their 12th full-length, Popular Songs, the follow-up to 2006's I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass (TMT Review) (not counting Fuckbook) on September 8. The album was recorded earlier this year in Hoboken and Nashville by members Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan, and James McNew with producer Roger Mountenot. Described by Matador as "the bravest musical statement to date in a career full of ‘em," Popular Songs is purported to be stylistically varied and "at the height of their creative powers." But, to paraphrase Thom Yorke, how can we be sure?
To find out, we turn in fact to Thom Yorke, front man of another Alternative Rock Band, who got a sneak preview of the new Yo La Tengo album earlier this week.
So, what's the deal? Is the new Yo La Tengo album all it's cracked up to be?Yes. It's fantastic. It's their bravest musical statement to date in a career full of 'em.
Oh, really?
Yes, I truly believe Yo La Tengo are at the height of their creative powers.
Well... boy, I guess that's all I need!
Wait, don't you want to ask about the new Radiohead album? We've been tinkering in the studio lately.
Thom, this is about Yo La Tengo, not you. Newsflash: not everything revolves around you.
Newsflash: I hate your guts!
There you have it, folks. Check out "Periodically Double or Triple," the first MP3 from Popular Songs. Tracklisting and a Buy Early Get Now campaign will be announced shortly via Matador's Matablog. Also expect a fall tour, but in the meantime:
06.04.09 - Paris, FR - L'Alhambra
06.07.09 - Hamburg, DE - Imperial Theatre
06.08.09 - Berlin, DE - Babylon (seated)
06.11.09 - Amsterdam, - Bimhuis
06.12.09 - Brussels, BE - Botanic, Orangerie
06.15.09 - London, UK - Queen Elizabeth Hall
07.13.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Keyspan Park/Coney Is
07.17.09 - Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Festival
