Album Review: Yo La Tengo – Fade Deluxe Edition
Oh deluxe editions, how we love you in all your glossy, lengthy glory. Released in January 2013, Fade, Yo La Tengo’s thirteenth full-length album showed us that the trio are far from faltering. With a career spanning almost thirty years, there are no signs of Yo La Tengo giving us anything but brilliantly crafted, majestic songs. This is music that has stood the test of time and passing trends. Perhaps as a way of celebrating their longevity, consistency and being all round musical masters; Fade is now being re-released deluxe edition style, with all the trimmings.
The three-piece have experimented – and mostly succeeded – in every possible genre from art rock to pop to electronica, transcending all labels and possible pigeonholed stereotypes. It is impossible to define them as a band, but then again why should we? They make music for themselves, producing what sounds good. All anyone is ever after are good songs, and Yo La Tengo have hundreds of them. Fade is an album full of understated, immaculate songs but still packs a proverbial music punch. It’s a quieter, ethereal move from the band, with moody, melancholy melodies, hushed vocals and acoustic goodness. The best of the best include ‘Ohm’, ‘Is That Enough’, ‘Well You Better’ and ‘The Point of It.’
The second disc is abundant with live performances, old, unheard demos, cover songs, remixes, instrumentals- everything to fulfil your musical cravings. There’s a slow burning, broody cover of the Beach Boy’s ‘A Day in the Life of a Tree’ and EYE’s remix of ‘Stupid Things’ does exactly what it says on the tin and transforms the entire song into something completely insane, but the good kind of insane. The kind that makes you want to go mental on the dance floor for five minutes. What’s more, the live tracks are a testament to the trio’s slick stage performances.
This album is a clear cut must-have for all Yo La Tengo fans, and even if this is your first time hearing about them, go out and buy it anyway. However, you may just find yourself on Amazon ordering their entire back catalogue after. A small price to pay for discovering what could, and most probably will be, your new favourite band. Or, at the very least, it’ll be a glorious ride down memory lane.
– Clare Povey
