CD Reviews

Condo Fucks | Fuckbook

Matador (2009)

By MIKAEL WOOD | March 23, 2009

2.5 Stars

In the unlikely event that you haven't already discovered this on the Internet: the Condo Fucks are not the "legendary New London, CT trio" they're described as on Matador's Web site. They're the legendary Hoboken, NJ trio Yo La Tengo, and Fuckbook is their all-covers follow-up to 1990's Fakebook, on which the record-collecting indie-rockers paid tender tribute to influences like Daniel Johnston, NRBQ, and the Holy Modal Rounders.

Per its title, Fuckbook is much gnarlier than the earlier effort; the extra-fuzzy sound here is more or less what you'd get if you recorded a YLT show over your iPhone. The playlist includes tunes by such Trouser Press faves as the Small Faces ("Whatcha Gonna Do About It"), Richard Hell ("The Kid with the Replaceable Head"), and Slade ("Gudbuy T'Jane").

But beyond a scrappy/winsome take on the Beach Boys' "Shut Down," there's not much to distinguish one track from another. It's all shits-and-giggles, all the time.

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