“Sugarcube” – Yo La Tengo
(Words/music: Yo La Tengo, available on I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One, Matador 1997)

Maybe because I’ve always liked baseball, I’ve frequently thought of mixes (first tapes, then CDs, now playlists) as similar to baseball lineups (or, at least each side of a tape / half of a CD as a lineup).  I like to start with a solid “leadoff” track or two – ones that either feel right as an opening or keep the tempo moving along.  Then, the next few songs are the “power” songs – these are the ones that drive home the theme, command the listener’s attention, or are the ones I think the recipient will like the most.  Then, it’s time to wind down the side and “set up” the next side – these are maybe old favorites that deserve another listen or something I’m taking a chance on including.  It’s not a set formula, and it’s not how I make every mix, but I’ve found myself (even in the dead of winter) working in this mode to help put some structure into my mixes (and to help make the necessary cuts when I have 12 minutes of music and 3 minutes of space).

“Sugarcube” frequently finds its way into the middle of my mixtape batting orders.  Appropriately, Yo La Tengo (whose members earn bonus points for being Mets fans) took their name from an anecdote about communication miscues in the New York Mets’ outfield (and do yourself a favor and watch that video - it’s priceless and features the great Ed Kranepool).  It gains its muscle from the relentless fuzz that runs through the entire song.  However, it’s far more than an experiment in noise, as this tonal cloud bursts at the seams with melody.  The bass first lays claim to a melody (well, a counter-melody with the lead guitar), giving way to Ira Kaplan’s understated vocals.  Throughout the whole song, guitars squeal and bend but always retain their melodic grounding.  In many ways, this comes pretty darn close to “perfect” for me – it’s not afraid to be noisy and rough around the edges, but at the same time it’s intensely melodic and supremely catchy.  It’s the kind of song you could hear once and hum for days without realizing it.

I imagine “Sugarcube” as a gap hitting third baseman.  It prefers to spread its power out throughout the entire song, rather than swinging for the fences.  Instead, it’s this consistency that makes it a valuable asset to the lineup.  It might not make the big play with a big hook or inspired turn of phrase, but it’s consistent greatness makes it a perpetual musical MVP (as far as my mixes go).  It also earns extra credit for a hilarious video featuring Mr. Show’s Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, among others.

More on Yo La Tengo: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm