User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 63
  2. Negative: 3 out of 63

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. May 8, 2022
    8
     title alone is enough to hold my interest, but beyond that, I am so impressed by this album....it manages to feel like one of the greatest mix-tapes (or CDs) ever made, while also maintaing a cohesive sound, the kind of balancing act that only Yo La Tengo can pull off. I have a feeling this album will be talked about for years
  2. May 29, 2020
    10
    Beautiful. Captures a little bit of their edgy grungy sound with their more soothing melodic pieces. They were back in form on their 90s form on this one
  3. RomanM
    Sep 18, 2006
    9
    This album is the perfect soundtrack for autumn. Worth the 77 minute run time.
  4. Inexhume
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    Thank you Yo La Tengo.
  5. ToddW
    Sep 27, 2006
    9
    Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that Yo La Tengo is one of the five best bands of the last 25 years should get their asses beaten. Ira Kaplan's understated and intricate guitars again wed perfectly with spouse Georgia Hubley's flights of fancy on the skins. All the while James McNew keeps that steady, rollin' backbeat. Talking about their individual songs is redundant; Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that Yo La Tengo is one of the five best bands of the last 25 years should get their asses beaten. Ira Kaplan's understated and intricate guitars again wed perfectly with spouse Georgia Hubley's flights of fancy on the skins. All the while James McNew keeps that steady, rollin' backbeat. Talking about their individual songs is redundant; it's like explaining the virtues of your children. Just enjoy and appreciate all of their music. Because Yo La Tengo get it, you needn't be afraid. Expand
  6. GuyH
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    Another strong album from YLT - just what you'd expect to be honest. '...Ass' won't blow you away on first listen - sure YLT always put a few instantly catchy songs on the disc. Beanbag Chair and I Should Have Known Better are pretty good examples, Mr Tough and Ronnie not so good. YLT fans will know that its the less obvious remainder you've really got to watch Another strong album from YLT - just what you'd expect to be honest. '...Ass' won't blow you away on first listen - sure YLT always put a few instantly catchy songs on the disc. Beanbag Chair and I Should Have Known Better are pretty good examples, Mr Tough and Ronnie not so good. YLT fans will know that its the less obvious remainder you've really got to watch for as these songs will become more and more addictive on repeated listens. 'Weakest Part', 'Race Is On', 'Point and Shoot' and 'The Story of YLT' stand out from the crowd (there are 15 tracks!) but every track has something unique to offer. Collapse
  7. williamo
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    yo la tengo really beat our ass!!!!
  8. JonL
    Sep 13, 2006
    9
    Unless Sparklehorse or The Decemberists pull out something really, really special, this album gets my vote for Album of the Year
  9. ME
    Sep 14, 2006
    9
    Popmatters gave it a 9 not an 8 ??!!
  10. BenW
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    perfect....album of the year!!
  11. David
    Sep 16, 2006
    8
    "Pass The Hatchet" is Yo La Tengo stealing "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" from Wilco and "The Story Of Yo La Tengo" steals the guitar part from Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," but every other song is absolutly wonderful and the previously mentioned songs still come out as great songs.
  12. NikkiG
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    Very chill album to lounge around and listen to!
  13. KitT
    May 3, 2007
    9
    I don't think I've heard anything so colourful and melodic recently. The range is awesome, from heavy riffings to sweet mellow poppy tunes, somehow they all fit well in the album. Nothing short of brilliant.
  14. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    7
    A good album, but I suspect they are mostly still benefiting from the cult status amongst critics they acquired from their 2000 album "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out." However, a few songs on this LP do recapture the sound of that classic, most notably 'Sometimes I Don't Get You'.
  15. Nik
    Dec 21, 2006
    9
    A very solid album, I will just leave it at that.
  16. Ajax
    Dec 20, 2006
    9
    Not their best album but when you have as strong a catalogue as YLT it doesn't need to be to beat off all competition this year. At no point does it feel overlong or anything other than brilliant.
  17. daniels
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    just amazing
  18. RonnieR
    Sep 11, 2006
    7
    A departure from the atmospheric sound of "Summer Sun" but not necessarily for the best. A mixed bag, comprising a wide range of styles which is enjoyable but gets over the top in the second half. YLT bite more than they can chew on a few occasions and "Ass" fails to stand up to the excellence of their "Painful" to "And Then Nothing..." era.
  19. Dan
    Sep 12, 2006
    8
    Maybe it's a grower and will wind up higher later. I hope so.
  20. KevinM
    Sep 16, 2006
    8
    Beanbag Chair is insanely catchy. The album creates a very cohesive mood, feel good album of the year.
  21. DjDamed
    Sep 19, 2006
    10
    I think that nothing is going to surprise me. I was wrong. Thank Yo la tengo
  22. steveE
    Sep 23, 2006
    9
    A realy fine piece of work from one of America's best bands.
  23. jeremy
    Jan 12, 2007
    9
    Best since Electr-o-pura (which just happens to be a top 10 all-time album for me).
  24. BobC
    May 15, 2007
    10
    Very different from prior Cds. I think it's their best work.
  25. cm
    Dec 4, 2006
    4
    the first and last song are very good. the inbetween songs float from annoying (mr tough) to merely bearable. i really regret buying this album and their summer sun one too. i will keep listening to everything before summer sun. goodnight
  26. J.
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    Oh my... this really IS so delicious...
  27. tjdfjklyhg
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    Yo La Tengo can pretty much do no wrong. I like each and every song on this album. Absolutely great to see them branching out after the (though admittedly great) subdued air of their last two albums. Album of the Year, for sure.
  28. MarcF
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    Excellent album. YLT's return to great form !
  29. ColinD
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    This may actually be the best Yo La Tengo album (though, ranking is arbitrary when a band has been as consistently good as YLT). It's amazing that they're still making statements this far-reaching and experimental this far into their career.
  30. KenG
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums of the year.
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Urb
    100
    A perfect album. [Sep 2006, p.143]
  2. Paste Magazine
    80
    The indie vets consolidate their talents, channeling the eclectic scope of their live shows into a 78-minute demonstration of control, confidence and imaginative songwriting. [Sep 2006, p.72]
  3. I Am Not Afraid Of You is a one-stop jukebox.