Few bands claiming to be indie actually live up to the creative promise of the genre better than Yo La Tengo. Of course, this trio from Hoboken, New Jersey, were doing “indie” back before the classification had even been invented. Heck, they were doing it before “alternative” was even a thing. And for nearly three decades, they have been doing it their way, much like another famous Hobokeian. Though the central structure of their overall sound calls Sonic Youth to mind, they write songs with a diverse range of influences unified by fuzzy-navel guitar melodies, silly lyrics about Tony Orlando and a whole lotta heart. Not to be missed.
Thu., Feb. 24, 9 p.m., 2011
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