Today Is the Day!
Yo La Tengo · 2003
23 min · 6 tracks · indie rock
A blend of introspective melodies and experimental noise, capturing the essence of indie rock's diverse soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Today Is the Day Start here — The opening track establishes the album's contemplative mood through its repetitive yet soothing guitar work, setting a reflective tone for the listening experience.
-
→
Cherry Chapstick (acoustic) — This acoustic version highlights the band's knack for crafting intimate moments, contrasting with their more experimental tendencies while maintaining an emotional core.
-
→
Needle of Death — A cover that showcases Yo La Tengo's ability to reinterpret classic songs, infusing it with their unique style and drawing connections between past and present influences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP blends structured melodies with experimental elements, showcasing Yo La Tengo's evolving sound within indie rock.
What we noticed
- The fourth track, 'Needle of Death', shifts to a slower tempo with a haunting vocal delivery, providing a stark emotional pivot in the EP.
- The final track is an acoustic version of 'Cherry Chapstick', which strips down the sound to highlight lyrical content and simplicity.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of energetic expression
- dreamy melodies for reflective moments
- acoustic warmth for cozy evenings
- gradual build towards emotional release
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — An interesting entry in their catalog but not widely recognized as essential.
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Today Is the Day! is Yo La Tengo’s tenth studio effort, following their critically acclaimed album Summer Sun. At this stage in their career, they were solidifying their reputation as influential pioneers of the indie rock genre, navigating a blend of accessible melodies and avant-garde experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Built to Spill· The Mountain Goats· Sonic Youth
Tracklist
- 1 Today Is the Day Start here 4:28
- 2 Styles of the Times 4:21
- 3 Outsmartener 2:59
- 4 Needle of Death 3:20
- 5 Dr. Crash 2:40
- 6 Cherry Chapstick (acoustic) 5:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.