President Yo La Tengo

Released in 1989 on the Coyote label, President Yo La Tengo serves as a pivotal entry in the band's discography, marking their final release before the arrival of bassist James McNew. At this stage, the lineup featured founding members Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley alongside bassist Mike Lewis. The album is technically an EP but functions with the weight of a full-length, showcasing the band's shift away from the garage-folk of 'Ride the Tiger' toward a more expansive, feedback-laden sound. It famously includes two versions of 'The Evil That Men Do,' an instrumental showcase that became a staple of their live sets, illustrating their growing interest in long-form improvisation. Critics often cite this record as the point where Yo La Tengo found their 'voice,' blending the melodicism of 60s pop with the abrasive textures of the New York avant-garde. The inclusion of 'The Orange Song' (an Antietam cover) highlights their career-long habit of interpreting the work of their peers with deep reverence.