It's funny how a band can be the model of genius-like consistency for almost 20 years, but as soon as they finally release one sub-par album they're put on 24-hour suicide watch. That's what happened to Yo La Tengo after their 2003 record, the drab misfire of the anything but sunny "Summer Sun." Soon after its release, an obligatory two-disc greatest hits package of their entire career was dropped complete with an odds and sods B-sides and outtakes/loose ends tying disc and whispers of an imminent break-up were now becoming full-on roars on the internet blogosphere.

Three years later the husband and wife team of Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley and their best bud James McNew have emerged with an album that basically screams "Shut the hell up already, we haven't gone anywhere!" Yes, you've read the title of the disc correctly, Yo La Tengo's new album is called I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass and rest assured they mean business.

First track "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Godkind" is a near 11-minute major ass-beater to the nth degree that could crush anything off of Summer Sun between its thumb and index finger, providing proof that Yo La Tengo haven't become too old to "Rock out." McNew's bass is set to stun, Hubley lays down a ferocious backbeat, and Kaplan breaks out the effects pedals like there's no tomorrow. That track makes the album worth purchasing alone, but 14 tracks follow suit and they're all as stellar.

What I love most about I Am Not Afraid Of You is that chunks of the album feel like a trip down memory lane of Yo La Tengo's entire career. "Beanbag Chair" shows Kaplan in mid-90's Pop-era mode, his vocals still cool as ever recalling someone like Dean Wareham, his virtual dreambrother from Luna. "I Feel Like Going Home" and "The Race Is On Again" feel reminiscent of Hubley's vocals on later, mellower material such as "I Feel The Heart Beating As One" and "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out."

This doesn't mean however these old dogs are above new tricks. "Mr. Tough" brings bossanova style lounge-iness that would make even Esquivel smirk and "The Room Got Heavy" sounds as if Yo La Tengo have been really digging Ladytron as of late. This is only what to expect on the first half of this immense record too people! There's still plenty to enjoy from there such as the trio getting their Sonics/Monks jones out on "Watch Out For Me Ronnie" and the book-ended 12 minute closer of "The Story of Yo La Tengo." This album is the very definition of what best of the year type lists should consist of and will certainly find a place near the peak of my top 10 at year's end.