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Nuclear War

Yo La Tengo - Nuclear War Audio CD

A fair review of the Yo La Tengo "Nuclear War" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Yo La Tengo reviews here, or go back to the Yo La Tengo tabs.

Band: Yo La Tengo
Title: Nuclear War
Rating:

Release Date: 2002-11-19
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Nuclear War [Version 1] 2: Nuclear War [Version 2] 3: Nuclear War [Version 3] 4: Nuclear War [Version 4]

Four takes of a great piece.

The first version features the trio performing a relatively straight cover of the original-- anchored by an absolutely fantastic drum performance, Ira Kaplan takes the role of Sun Ra in the original, intoning the original lyrics, predicting the end of days via nuclear war "if they push that button". "Nuclear War" is, even for Yo La Tengo, a bit of a bizarre one- four versions of Sun Ra's "Nuclear War". James McNew and Georgia Hubley take the chorus role, in a call and response pattern. Kaplan manages to maintain a serious tone, even in the face of the vaguely goofiness of the lyric. It's kind of hard to explain the piece-- when it originally came out in 1982, I imagine it was quite jarring-- a protorap performance with a gospel-styled vocal. In 2008, it's no less jarring.

The second version overdubs a watery, throbbing bassline and about a dozen children singing the response. It has the effect of emphasizing the jarring the nature of the piece, the lyrics aren't exactly the kind of thing that you'd expect a child to sing. I suppose I could make some dramatic statement about nuclear war as the end of innocence, but trutfully, as a parent I find it mildly creepy. Then again, that may have been the goal. The third version augments the first with performances by percussionist Susie Ibarra, trumpeter Roy Campbell, Jr. reedmen Daniel Carter and Sabir Mateen and record store owner Josh Madell. The ensemble overdubs frantic vocals and additional percussion over the original (with Kaplan adding a swinging piano performance that I never knew he had in him) prior to breaking into a great solo section with blazing performances from all three horns over the percussive stew. Campbell in particular catches fire and provides just a standout performance. The fourth version is a remix of the second by hiphop producer Mike Ladd. Ladd takes the second version, adds a ton of reverb to the lead vocal, electronica noises and some enhancements to the percussion-- it's a fine listening experience, but it doesn't exactly grab you and shake you.

"Nuclear War" is something to hear though, it's a great cover by Yo La Tengo. Anyone who enjoyed this should also check out Sun Ra's original (available as the title track of 1982's Nuclear War). Recommended.

Blows up
Indie-rock band Yo La Tengo revamped and reworked the repetitive "Nuclear War" by obscure jazzist Sun Ra, and here four different covers of that song are presented -- the good, the bad, and the really bizarre. They definitely have guts.

The first cover of "Nuclear War" is entertainingly poppy and bright, while the second is different mainly because of a chorus of children singing every other line. The third track is a sprawling, jazzily chaotic cover, with a muddle of clashing cymbals and murmuring backing vocals. And finally the fourth cover, a sputtering, spacey psychedelic remix that just sounds overstuffed.

It's a fun little disc, but not really something to listen to frequently. The final cut is overmixed, and the second one is mainly noticeable because it has little kids joyously announcing, "It's a mother****er!" every minute or so. The third cover is the gem, a perfect blend of free jazz and punky indie-rock.

The sound of "Nuclear" is rawer and more angular than most of what Yo La Tengo now does. And Ira Kaplan does some likably jaded vocals, that help spice up the simplistic lyrics: "Talkin about/yeeeaaahhh/Nuclear war/Yeaaaahhh. " Basic political message: Nuclear war is bad, and you are in trouble if you "push that button. "

The "Nuclear War" single is entertaining enough, but not exactly memorable, even for Yo La Tengo fans. You may push that button, but only one or two tracks will make you push the "repeat button. ".

Really 3.5
Distribution of the funky, pre-hiphop era rap song was minimal to say the least, but made a stir among some of the few musicians who heard it. Yo La Tengo - Nuclear War

You gotta hand it to Yo La Tengo, the Hoboken trio and Downtown music darlings, who else would do a cover EP of one of the most obscure songs from out jazz genius and oddity Sun Ra? Nuclear War originates on a Sun Ra recording from the 1982, which was released by an obscure British punk label. The profile of the cut was raised in 2001 when Atavistic released it on its Unheard Music Series and then really raised when this EP came out in 2002, as the US was gearing up for the Gulf War Redux.

The EP consists of four cuts of the same material, a gutsy move in it's own right, as the Sun Ra song is nothing if not repetitious. The first cut features Yo La Tengo alone, with Ira leading the vocals and accompanied by some deft percussion jams. The second cut features a chorus of children singing the responses to Ira's lead vocal. The primary effect of this cut is the unsettling humor of hearing children swear, and the even more unsettling experience of hearing the children's laughter at the end of the apocalyptic song. The third cut is the real reason I got the EP however, It features a gaggle of great New York free jazz musicians, including several who actually gigged or recorded with Sun Ra. Solos by Sabir Mateen, Roy Campbell and Daniel Carter are worth the price of this recording alone. Sabir is alternatively funky and Ayleresque, while Campbell and Carter dip into some wild and raunchy blues. The final cut features rapper and downtown poet Mike Ladd, remixing the other tracks, interesting, but it doesn't add much to the impact of the disc.

Is this an essential CD? No. You can get a better idea of the sound of Yo La Tengo through many of their more adventurous albums, particularly Electr-o-pura. And the free musicians are much better represented on their own discs. But as a celebration of the close connections between free jazz and indie-punk, this is a fun album to own. (Daniel Carter in particular often credits punk bands like YLT and the Bad Brains for keeping him in work during the dark times of the 80s. ) However, be warned, this CD is repetative. . . . I would venture to guess that you will only find yourself playing one of the four cuts more than once or twice. . . . what cut that is will depend on your taste.

YO LA STRIKES AGAIN!!!
He's this cool guy that I've met a few times. What's up 24 hour partay people? My name's Bill but my Amazon handle is Woodrow. I want to be just like him. Just one problem, he doesn't dig YO LA! Can you believe it? Anyway, I'm coming at you direct from Yo La Tengo central. That's right, Hoboken NJ! I'm proud to say that I own everything by the mighty YO LA. This new cassingle is their most incredible art statement yet. I must say that bassist James is sounding (and looking) better than ever. I just witnessed their astounding 8 night stand at Maxwells. It was so inspiring!! I'm going to get their logo tattoo'd on my posterior region. This way everyone will get to see that I support YO LA and everything they do. YEAH! They're #1. Can you dig it?.

Throwback the 60's
Strangelove or how I learned to stop worring and love the bomb. It's no secret that this song is based on Stanley Kubrick's film Dr. The movie is an errie comedy that leaves the audience with mixed emotions in regard to humanity. Like the movie, YLT managed to take a serious theme, and make it funny at the same time. The children swearing are unnerving, yet you can't help but smile when they start saying farewell to their [rears]. Anyway the feeling of the song and the movie are the same. This is great if you're a Kubrick fan, but not so much if your a YLT fan who fears change. I must admit that their sound is a bit raw, and I expected a smooth emotional experience. It's acousitc, different, and a great find for Kubrick fans. Farewell. Goodbye [rear].

You can see a complete list of all Yo La Tengo discography, or go back to the Yo La Tengo tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.