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Strange but True
Studio album by Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo
Released	1998
Genre	Indie rock
Length	40:57
Label	Matador Records

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Christgau's Consumer Guide
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Entertainment Weekly	B
Pitchfork	4.9/10

Strange but True is a collaborative album by the band Yo La Tengo and Jad Fair. It was released by Matador Records in 1998. The song titles are taken from outrageous newspaper headlines. The lyrics were written by Jad's brother, David.

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune called the album "a mixed bag of gemlike pop, atmospheric narratives and abrasive textures." Spin deemed it a "supermarket tabloid rock opera."

Track listing

1. "Helpful Monkey Wallpapers Entire Home" – 2:06
2. "Texas Man Abducted by Aliens for Outer Space Joy Ride" – 2:37
3. "National Sports Association Hires Retired English Professor to Name New Wrestling Holds" – 2:33
4. "Dedicated Thespian Has Teeth Pulled to Play Newborn Baby in High School Play" – 1:38
5. "Three-Year-Old Genius Graduates High School at Top of Her Class" – 1:17
6. "Embarrassed Teen Accidentally Uses Valuable Rare Postage Stamp" – 2:49
7. "Principal Punishes Students with Bad Impressions and Tired Jokes" – 1:24
8. "Retired Grocer Constructs Tiny Mount Rushmore Entirely of Cheese" – 1:51
9. "X-ray Reveals Doctor Left Wristwatch Inside Patient" – 0:50
10. "Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert by Mistake #2" – 1:01
11. "Retired Woman Starts New Career in Monkey Fashions" – 1:35
12. "Circus Strongman Runs for PTA President" – 3:19
13. "High School Shop Class Constructs Bicycle Built for 26" – 1:31
14. "Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert by Mistake #1" – 1:22
15. "Ohio Town Saved from Killer Bees by Hungry Vampire Bats" – 2:26
16. "Nevada Man Invents Piano with 21 Extra Keys" – 1:10
17. "Clever Chemist Makes Chewing Gum from Soap" – 2:00
18. "Minnesota Man Claims Monkey Bowled Perfect Game" – 1:34
19. "Ingenious Scientist Invents Car of the Future" – 1:29
20. "Car Gears Stick in Reverse, Daring Driver Crosses Town Backwards" – 1:48
21. "Shocking Fashion Statement Terrorizes Town" – 1:56
22. "Feisty Millionaire Fills Potholes with Hundred-Dollar Bills" – 2:41

References

1. Sandheinrich, Gregg. "Strange But True Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
2. Christgau, Robert (2000-10-15). Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan. p. 101. ISBN 9780312245603.
3. Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958 – via Google Books.
4. Kim, Wook (1998-10-23). "Strange But True". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
5. Richard-San, Mark. "Jad Fair + Yo La Tengo: Strange but True: Pitchfork Record Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
6. "Jad Fair Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
7. "Pillow Talk". SF Weekly. March 8, 2000.
8. Meyer, Bill (November 12, 1998). "Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo". Chicago Reader.
9. "JAD FAIR: 'STRANGE BUT TRUE'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
10. Buckley, Peter (October 29, 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050 – via Google Books.
11. "THE A LIST". Chicago Tribune. 13 November 1998. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
12. Clover, Joshua (Dec 1998). "The Shredder". Spin. 14 (12): 179.

• 1998 collaborative albums
• Yo La Tengo albums
• Matador Records albums
• Jad Fair albums