Strange but True (album)

Last updated
Strange but True
Strange but True.jpg
Studio album by
Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo
Released1998
Genre Indie rock
Length40:57
Label Matador Records
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Christgau's Consumer Guide Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Entertainment Weekly B [4]
Pitchfork 4.9/10 [5]

Strange but True is a collaborative album by the band Yo La Tengo and Jad Fair. [6] [7] It was released by Matador Records in 1998. [8] The song titles are taken from outrageous newspaper headlines. [9] The lyrics were written by Jad's brother, David. [10]

Contents

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune called the album "a mixed bag of gemlike pop, atmospheric narratives and abrasive textures." [11] Spin deemed it a "supermarket tabloid rock opera." [12]

Track listing

  1. "Helpful Monkey Wallpapers Entire Home" – 2:06
  2. "Texas Man Abducted by Aliens for Outer Space Joy Ride" – 2:37
  3. "National Sports Association Hires Retired English Professor to Name New Wrestling Holds" – 2:33
  4. "Dedicated Thespian Has Teeth Pulled to Play Newborn Baby in High School Play" – 1:38
  5. "Three-Year-Old Genius Graduates High School at Top of Her Class" – 1:17
  6. "Embarrassed Teen Accidentally Uses Valuable Rare Postage Stamp" – 2:49
  7. "Principal Punishes Students with Bad Impressions and Tired Jokes" – 1:24
  8. "Retired Grocer Constructs Tiny Mount Rushmore Entirely of Cheese" – 1:51
  9. "X-ray Reveals Doctor Left Wristwatch Inside Patient" – 0:50
  10. "Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert by Mistake #2" – 1:01
  11. "Retired Woman Starts New Career in Monkey Fashions" – 1:35
  12. "Circus Strongman Runs for PTA President" – 3:19
  13. "High School Shop Class Constructs Bicycle Built for 26" – 1:31
  14. "Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert by Mistake #1" – 1:22
  15. "Ohio Town Saved from Killer Bees by Hungry Vampire Bats" – 2:26
  16. "Nevada Man Invents Piano with 21 Extra Keys" – 1:10
  17. "Clever Chemist Makes Chewing Gum from Soap" – 2:00
  18. "Minnesota Man Claims Monkey Bowled Perfect Game" – 1:34
  19. "Ingenious Scientist Invents Car of the Future" – 1:29
  20. "Car Gears Stick in Reverse, Daring Driver Crosses Town Backwards" – 1:48
  21. "Shocking Fashion Statement Terrorizes Town" – 1:56
  22. "Feisty Millionaire Fills Potholes with Hundred-Dollar Bills" – 2:41

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References

  1. ↑ Sandheinrich, Gregg. "Strange But True Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  2. ↑ Christgau, Robert (2000-10-15). Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan. p. 101. ISBN   9780312245603.
  3. ↑ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857125958 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Kim, Wook (1998-10-23). "Strange But True". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  5. ↑ Richard-San, Mark. "Jad Fair + Yo La Tengo: Strange but True: Pitchfork Record Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Jad Fair Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  7. ↑ "Pillow Talk". SF Weekly. March 8, 2000.
  8. ↑ Meyer, Bill (November 12, 1998). "Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo". Chicago Reader.
  9. ↑ "JAD FAIR: 'STRANGE BUT TRUE'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Buckley, Peter (October 29, 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN   9781843531050 – via Google Books.
  11. ↑ "THE A LIST". Chicago Tribune. 13 November 1998. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  12. ↑ Clover, Joshua (Dec 1998). "The Shredder". Spin. 14 (12): 179.
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