Stockholm Syndrome
Yo La Tengo, 1997. Solo by Ira Kaplan.
A gentle song that lets Kaplan stretch out in a warm, looping lead.
Stockholm Syndrome, sung by bassist James McNew, is one of Yo La Tengo's gentlest songs, and Ira Kaplan uses it to stretch out in a warm, looping lead. His lines are melodic and unhurried, circling around the chord changes with a relaxed, almost conversational feel that suits the song's soft vocal. The solo feels like a natural continuation of the song, adding texture and emotion without pulling focus, and it shows a very different side of the player who can also bury a song in feedback. It is a lovely example of how restraint can be as expressive as noise. Listen for how the looping phrases seem to drift and return, creating a sense of calm and reflection.
Stockholm Syndrome by Yo La Tengo is ranked #359 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Ira Kaplan and the song was released in 1997. It appears on 1 lists, placing as high as #179 (Guitar Tricks).
In our lists
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Stockholm Syndrome?
Ira Kaplan played the solo on Yo La Tengo's Stockholm Syndrome (1997).
Where does Stockholm Syndrome rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#359 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 1 of them.