Jad Fair and Yo La Tengo

Strange But True

Matador

The twenty-two tracks on Strange But True are oddly-shaped compositions. Either they'll fit into your mental peghole or they won't. Song titles pretty much summarize David Fair's lyrical content: "Retired Grocer Constructs Tiny Mount Rushmore Entirely of Cheese," "Nevada Man Invents Piano with 21 Extra Keys" and "Dedicated Thespian Has Teeth Pulled to Play Newborn Baby in High School Play." The music is usually in Yo La Tengo's moody Velvets style. Strange and available. Matador Records, 625 Broadway, Twelfth Floor, New York, NY 10012-2319

--Kurt Channing