Yo La Tengo's Wonderfully Abrasive Subtleties | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Yo La Tengo's Wonderfully Abrasive Subtleties

What the acclaimed New Jersey band did for indie music.

14
Yo La Tengo's Wonderfully Abrasive Subtleties
Conversations About Her

Indie music is a genre that offers a lot to the world. The vast array of bands from that field can be smart or rambunctious, and the genre covers a variety of moods. The witty lyricism of The Smiths brought a reflective side to indie music, and the Pixies were zany and wild. Pavement had lo-fi elements in their sound, and the moody explorations of Modest Mouse brought profound connotations to indie rock. So many unique bands can be found from exploring indie music, and seeing the paths that it can take is a rewarding journey. Indie music is a highly creative field, and one band that demonstrates this is Yo La Tengo.

Forming in 1984 in New Jersey, Yo La Tengo provides an abrasive brand of indie rock. Featuring fuzzy guitars and excessive distortion, noise is a crucial element of Yo La Tengo's repertoire. Albums such as 'Painful' and 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One' feature waves of discordant feedback, with a formless quality that washes over the music. Yo La Tengo wields noise in a creative fashion, and they create cacophonous rockers that bludgeon their audiences. Yo La Tengo also uses dissonance in a diverse way, as they incorporate influences from shoegaze and dream pop.

Yo La Tengo also employs a unique singing style. Their albums have hazy vocals, with an indistinct style that is buried in the music. "Nowhere Near" and "Damage" demonstrate the blurry vibe of Yo La Tengo's vocals, and they float over the music in a relaxing manner. The unobtrusive singing creates a soft mood within their songs, and the muffled harmonies are soothing as well. "A Worrying Thing" and "Saturday" show that Yo La Tengo observes life in a quiet way, and the restraint of their singing gives a tranquil element to the band.

Subtlety is another important element of Yo La Tengo's music. Even though their songs transform into feedback fests, there is always a muted aura to their work. Yo La Tengo prefers to caress the listener with their peaceful sound, and the rowdy parts of their work still have a delicate aspect to them. The mild nature of their albums is perfect for low-key environments, and Yo La Tengo includes numerous layers to decipher in the subtlety of their work. Yo La Tengo focuses on gentle compositions that are quite tender, and they give a soft brand of indie rock that is highly satisfying.

Overall, Yo La Tengo is a significant band in the genre of indie music. The fuzzy guitars lead to an emphasis on noise, and it isn't uncommon for Yo La Tengo to head into paths of raucous distortion. The amp-melting feedback creates a head rush for listeners to get into, and their indistinct vocals give a comforting aura to the music. Yo La Tengo also proves the value of subtlety, as their quiet aura creates textures that reveal themselves over time. Yo La Tengo is a great band, and their songs will always be worth your time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

191130
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15389
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458231
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26811
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments