At this point, Yo La Tengo are an indie-rock institution. The trio's combination of sunny pop and screechy guitar-rock has made the group a staple on the indie scene since the '80s. The New Jersey band's latest is covers album released under the name Condo Fucks. The difference between this and the full-time gig? Think of the lo-fi recording aesthetic of Columbus band Times New Viking. This overdriven, stripped-down approach works well, considering the material being covered. Tracks by the Troggs, Richard Hell, the Kinks and the Small Faces all show up in raw, first-take glory, like some California garage band dropped a mic on the floor in their practice space and hit "record." It's a charming mix of spontaneity, garbled pop and bare-bones production that'll have rock purists' hearts all aflutter. Ultimately, these jittery blasts of rock 'n' roll won't satisfy those looking for Yo La Tengo's detailed songwriting and instrumental variation.
— Matt Whelihan
