Amazon.co.uk Review
Nineteen years and 11 albums haven't dulled or lessened the restless eclecticism of Hoboken's enduring avant-rockers Yo La Tengo.
Summer Sun follows 2000's minor breakthrough album
And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out and like that album, it is the sound of warm, slow-burning enchantment. Yo La Tengo's feat is the way in which their wildly adventurous music sounds so understated and natural.
Summer Sun embraces everything from brooding slo-core, kitsch bossa nova 60s pop through to rhythmic and folky electronica without ever sounding contrived or forced.
The gorgeous "Today is the Day" evokes the much-referenced Velvet Underground right down to Georgia Hubley's measured, somnambulant lilt. "Don't Have To Be So Sad" pares shuffling beats with tinkling keys, suggesting a fantasy collaboration between Four Tet and those other masters of downtempo--Low. "Let's be Still" is jazz-inflected pop and the closing Big Star cover "Take Care" is near perfect; an exquisite bittersweet parting shot to the end of a relationship. In their 40s and after nearly 20 years together making music, Yo La Tengo shouldn't sound this good. That they do is no small reason to rejoice. --Suzannah Brown
CD Description
'Summer Sun' is the ninth studio album release for Hokoken's Yo La Tengo. Produced by long time associate Roger Moutenot, the album features Yo La Tengo's unique mix of dreamy vocals, lush keyboards and Velvet Underground inspired guitar workouts. The album also includes a guest appearance from Lambchop's Paul Niehaus and jazz trumpeter Roy Campbell Jr.