Sweeter Than A Drop Of Blood

Having played Yo La Tengo's "I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One" for friends, the first words that constantly pass their lips is "Is that Brian Eno?" No, it isn't.

Yo La Tengo is a New York trio that produces some of the best ambient-rock music around. Lyrics tend to take a back seat on some tracks, leaving plenty of room for the bands musical manuverings which range from the quiet and desperate "Damage" to the sweet pop of "Sugarcube" to the 7-minute-long, guitar-distorting "We're An American Band." A few of the tracks are down right infectious with their cuteness, specifically "Sugarcube" and "Autumn Sweater." It just seems that whatever world Yo La Tengo is coming from, all turns out alright in their little corner of it. Which is what makes Yo La Tengo so original - they are ambient, and yet their overall mood is up-lifting, and at times downright playful. And that is a odd thing to say about any artist in this genre.