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Well, since yves brought up shoegaze, and I think this sorta qualifies (if it doesn't, oh well, it's still one of the best albums EVAR):

Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One



I have to admit that I like, but don't love, Yo La Tengo. Some of their albums tend to meander on forever with no direction.

This album is awesome though because it mixes in the meandering with some catchy pop hooks, which makes it (IMHO) infinitely more listenable/accessible than some of their other albums.

I'd recommend this track to those of you who haven't ever heard this. It's the first song on the album, and is pretty indicative of the album's sound.

OMG WTF WON'T THIS LINK WORK

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Unlike probably most of their fans it was those light sweet melodic pop songs that really made me love Yo La Tengo.
Heck "Summer Sun" which is probably a lot of people's LEAST favorite album of their's, just happens to be my favorite.

Then when I saw them live last year and they were just throwing out one guitar epic out there after another and it DID go on forever and it was LOUD (louder than Mogwai even who I had seen the week before) but it was also pretty amazing. It really opened my ears up towards their whole repertoire.
I pretty much love everything now and more than ever appreciate the great versatility from this band.
I strongly recommend anyone who gets the chance to see them live.