"Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics" is a compilation album by the indie rock band Yo La Tengo, released in 2006. This album is a unique embodiment of the band's raw talent and creativity, presenting a wide array of cover songs. The tracks are collected from freestyle sessions during Yo La Tengo's fundraising events for radio station WFMU. These annual fundraisers span 1996 to 2003, wherein callers who pledge money to the station could make a request for Yo La Tengo to cover a song of their choosing.
This album is unique because of the spontaneity and uncertainty of the band's interpretation of requested songs. The band often has no prior rehearsal before performing a tune, leading to different and sometimes humorous results. They cover an extensive range of musical genres, from classic rock and punk rock to mainstream pop, often incorporating their innovative style. The result varied from precise impersonations to songs being humorously unrecognizable.
"Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics" serves as an interesting musical endeavor that captures the unique spirit of Yo La Tengo's relationship with their fan base, their spontaneous creativity, and their love for various types of music.
