#423 Yo La Tengo, 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One' (1997)

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Before I put this record on, I got confused and was expecting Yo-Yo Ma. Imagine my surprise on hearing an alternative rock record. I don’t think I’ve actually listened to these guys before. While critically acclaimed, the band hasn’t received much mainstream success.

‘Moby Octopad’ has such a great walking bass line. Although the second track, it really sets the mood for the album. Next up is second single, ‘Sugarcube,’ which takes at least 30 seconds to get start and includes a lot of experimental guitar solos. It’s easy to understand their lack of mainstream success. I liked the album but found it a bit long and a bit meandering. If tightened up, it would have been a much more cohesive album. Apparently the band didn’t plan on making such a long album, but they felt they had to to include ten minute, forty one second instrumental, ‘Spec Bebop.’ I’ll let you in on a little secret: they really didn’t need to include it.

#rs500albums