The Best Yo La Tengo Guitar Solos

Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan is indie rock's great noise-guitar improviser, known for extended feedback-drenched solos that owe more to the Velvet Underground and free jazz than to classic-rock technique. On record and especially live, his squalling, unpredictable leads give the Hoboken trio's gentle songs their sudden, ecstatic flights.

Informed by: Paste – 40 best Yo La Tengo songs, Guitar World, Premier Guitar, PopMatters

1. 1
   Blue Line Swinger

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1995
2. 2
   I Heard You Looking

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1993
3. 3
   Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2006
4. 4
   The Story of Yo La Tango

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2009
5. 5
   Sugarcube

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1997
6. 6
   Tom Courtenay

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1995
7. 7
   Big Day Coming

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1993
8. 8
   We're an American Band

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1997
9. 9
   Cherry Chapstick

   Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2000
10. 10
    Double Dare

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1993
11. 11
    From a Motel 6

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1993
12. 12
    Deeper into Movies

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 1997
13. 13
    Sinatra Drive Breakdown

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2023
14. 14
    Ohm

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2013
15. 15
    Night Falls on Hoboken

    Yo La Tengo · solo by Ira Kaplan · 2000