Yo La Tengo compilations announced

[Patrick]

Yo La Tengo compilations (2XCD and 3XCD versions) have been announced in the new news update:

http://www.matadorrecords.com/news

[johansen smith]

why are there two versions of this? it seems weird to have a version floating out there without the extras disc. also, while I have Matador's ear, why have a few recent releases had their packaging changed upon repressing? I saw the last Cat Power CD in a jewelcase at the record store and it threw me off. do these new packages have a diferent OLE number to differentiate between them?

[Patrick]

Originally posted by johansen smith
why are there two versions of this? it seems weird to have a version floating out there without the extras disc.

The 2-CD version will be a cheaply-priced and cheaply-packaged introduction to Yo La Tengo's extensive catalog, for new listeners.

The 3-CD version will be less cheaply-priced (though still cheap!) set in a deluxe package, with the extra CD of outtakes and rarities, for serious Yo La Tengo fans who want the hits and who will get some the rarities too.

also, while I have Matador's ear, why have a few recent releases had their packaging changed upon repressing? I saw the last Cat Power CD in a jewelcase at the record store and it threw me off. do these new packages have a diferent OLE number to differentiate between them?

When we make a first pressing of something, we do a large quantity which enables us to order special packages (digipaks, slipcases, special colors and printing) cheaply.

However when we do subsequent reorders, the quantities are much smaller, and it would be prohibitive to reorder small quantities of the special packaging.

Therefore whenever we do a special package on release - of any kind, including a digi - we simultaneously design a jewelcase version, and this is used for subsequent pressings.

They have the same OLE #s.

Patrick

[baconfat]

since i live in this bizarre fantasy world where there are no "casual" yo la tengo fans, i'm not seeing how exactly this is a better introduction to the band than any of their matador albums. perhaps alias and bar/none will get a big boost out of this whole thing. i'm not complaining about the chance to buy more yo la tengo product, but i'm thinking a live record would be much more appropriate at this stage (though i know ira's not really a fan of that idea). i find it interesting that there are potentially 47 unused minutes of cd time on the first two discs. maybe i'll just wait until i see the damn thing before i start whining in earnest. thanks for throwing in that extra cd of rarities though, but i wonder if anyone was speaking up for "for the turnstiles" or the theme song from the simpsons (besides myself, i mean). is "dreams" is the fleetwood mac cover and is "dreaming" the sun ra cover? i know they released their cover of blondie's "dreaming" on another compilation. i am certainly looking forward to the dvd, which promises to be chock full of goodness.

[Patrick]

Just a couple quick comments -

Yes baconfat I think you are living in a slightly bizarre YLT world... consider the average person who comes along to the record store and looks at what's probably a pretty incomplete selection of albums by this band they've heard of. Remember there are at least 10 albums depending on how you're counting and untold EPs... and even in a good store not all of them might be there.

If you want an introduction to the band you need a "way in" - and it's pretty confusing to see all these different records from different labels and different periods.

This is a common problem with bands who have an oeuvre as deep and rich and varied as YLT's, and we've found that cheap compilations are a great way to introduce new fans to the music who might be intimidated at first sight. It worked really well for GBV for example.

Then having introduced themselves to the music of the band's various periods and styles and records, they can delve deeper by starting to buy the original albums.

On the choice of tracks and timing, this was the result of many many months of thinking and choosing and sequencing between ourselves and the band to come up with the best selection and balance. That didn't necessarily mean filling every CD to the brim.

I will also point out that the price is good, for each format.

Patrick

[baconfat]

thanks for the input patrick. did you find that the sampler you gave away/sold with copies of "and then nothing turned itself inside-out" helped to boost sales of their matador back catalog? i'm wondering how the npr crowd responded to "attack on love" or "spec bebop." working at a record store, i can't tell you how infuriating the npr listeners can be.

the fact that i'm dying for a 3-disc (or more) set of unreleased/rare stuff is what contributes to my frustration more than anything else. i know the band isn't exactly prolific, so i'm more than happy with anything that comes down the pipe.

[Patrick]

Hey, I hear ya. Well, the DVD will contain plenty of amazing stuff when it finally comes together later in the new year.

The sampler may not have driven catalog sales, but it definitely drove extra sales of 'And Then Nothing.'

Best
Patrick

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Originally posted by baconfat
i can't tell you how infuriating the npr listeners can be. In what way? I've discovered some great music via NPR and local affiliates.

[baconfat]

the main problem for me is that every time npr features something relatively obscure, every record store in town runs out of it and then we have to wait 2-3 weeks for the little label to catch up with the demand. the average npr listener doesn't understand how this process works (supply of non-npr-projected sales vs. demand of npr-driven sales) and since they are typically clueless yuppies (i hate to stereotype but that's pretty much all i see at my store who are asking about the npr stuff), there's this condescending attitude when we don't have what they want the second they want it. because npr refuses to tell labels (big or small) when they are going to feature a release (so they can ramp up production before the features air), we end up dancing this stupid dance a dozen times or more a year (pbs is also a guilty party) and it's tiring as hell. i am not saying npr doesn't do a small service in exposing some of these artists/releases (i especially like when they feature the recently deceased, like eva cassidy), but the headaches that go along with dealing with their typical listener base in central virginia (where there are more commercial-free radio stations per capita than anywhere else in america) make me want to start shooting people. in the knees.

[Funk]

Originally posted by baconfat
since i live in this bizarre fantasy world where there are no "casual" yo la tengo fans ... thanks for throwing in that extra cd of rarities though, but i wonder if anyone was speaking up for "for the turnstiles" or the theme song from the simpsons (besides myself, i mean).

I'd consider myself a "casual fan", even though I think I've got 11 or 12 12"s/LPs (don't have the last full length though). I said to myself I'd buy this collection if it had "Turnstiles" on it (my copy of Ride the Tiger is on Coyote, so I don't have it), but alas it is not, so I guess my YLT collection remains all analogue.

[Squall91]

Mmm...I can't wait. Especially to hear Tom Courtenay acoustically and the demo of Big Day Coming.

[interrust]

Originally posted by Squall91
Mmm...I can't wait. Especially to hear Tom Courtenay acoustically and the demo of Big Day Coming.

dude its really sweet. its on the camp YLT ep. georgia sings it and it is lovely. IM me and i could hook you up prematurely.

[Squall91]

Originally posted by interrust
dude its really sweet. its on the camp YLT ep. georgia sings it and it is lovely. IM me and i could hook you up prematurely. Nah, I'll wait until the comp comes out.

Thanks anyway.

[TheSadDebaser]

is there any chance of a non-album collection coming out on its own, seperate from the best-of?

[Patrick]

Originally posted by TheSadDebaser
is there any chance of a non-album collection coming out on its own, seperate from the best-of?

I'm afraid not, but do keep in mind that you can get the whole triple CD set, with deluxe packaging, essays, pictures and all, direct from Matador for only $12 if you take advantage of our special preorder offer!

www.matadorrecords.com/store/storesearch.php?artist=Yo+La+Tengo

Patrick

[interrust]

oh im so taking advantage. so cool of it to be so darn cheap! with shipping it'll be like .. 5 bucks a disc.

[ash]

Any chance this will come out on vinyl? I ask because Today is the Day was not sold on vinyl through the matador site, but sure enough, I found the vinyl version at my local record store.

[Patrick]

No vinyl on this collection.

Patrick