Yo La Tengo: Ira Kaplan, Dave Schramm (vocals, guitar); Mike Lewis (bass); Georgia Hubley (drums).

Additional personnel: David Bither, Mike Tchang (saxophone); Chris Nelson (trombone); Clint Conley, Dave Rick (bass).

Producers include: Clint Conley.

Engineers include: Ken French, Rober Miller.

Includes liner notes by Ira Kaplan.

Personnel: Dave Schramm, Ira Kaplan (vocals, guitar); David Bither, Mike Tchang (saxophone); Chris Nelson (trombone); Georgia Hubley (drums).

Recording information: New York, NY (05/1985-??/1993); Sound on Sound, New York, NY (05/1985-??/1993); Water Music Recorders, Hoboken, NJ (05/1985-??/1993); Water Music, Hoboken, NJ (05/1985-??/1993); White Dog, Boston, MA (05/1985-??/1993).

Photographers: Carol Whaley; Robert Sietsema; Elinor Blake.

The debut release by Yo La Tengo captures the group in their most raw and ragged incarnation. Guitarist Kaplan was working as a sound-man and rock critic when his basement jam sessions with his drummer girlfriend Georgia Hubley (later wife) inspired him to get a band together. The inner sleeve includes the original ads they placed in the Village Voice looking for a guitarist and bassist whose influences included Love and Mission of Burma. While these influences are certainly present in these 15 songs, the most obvious influence is that of the Velvet Underground. Kaplan's speak-singing style of vocalization, the scratchy rhythm guitar and the solid, minimal drumming all recall the Velvets aesthetic.

Produced with stark minimalism by former Mission of Burma bassist Clint Conly, RIDE THE TIGER consists mainly of straightforward, yet edgy rockers like "The Cone of Silence," although "Alrock's Blues" goes in some unexpected directions. "The Empty Pool" recalls the jangle and jungle beat of the Feelies, another New Jersey outfit from the same era. High points are the group's first single, a fierce version of "A House is Not a Motel" from Love's immortal FOREVER CHANGES, and a cover of the Kinks' "Big Sky."

Q (9/94, p.131) - 2 Stars - Average - "...charming, not overly accomplished set full of half-songs, scratchy guitars and gauche vocals; it could pass as a Feelies demo, but only just..."

Melody Maker (5/16/00, p.46) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Slightly rockier...Like Lou Reed fronting The Velvet Underground! Imagine that!..."