CD Review: Condo Fucks

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

This article appears in Apr 1-7, 2009.