Released: 1994
Band: Sonic Youth
Band Members:
Thurston Moore- guitar/vocals
Lee Ranaldo- guitar
Kim Gordon- bass/vocals
Steve Shelley- drums
one the most innovative and evolving bands since the very early 80's, SY have influenced countless bands, from all genres. but this album is a huge turning point for SY.
Why? because of these reasons:
-one of the few albums not to feature Lee on vocals on any song.
-the first album to feature Kim soley on bass (she played guitar on few tracks on the previous albums, and Thurston would play bass on those songs)
-instead of the chaotic, raw, noisey rock of the first few albums, or the upbeat, electronic, punky "Dirty" and "Goo", this album took a turn for mellow experimental rock. thats right, they turned DOWN the feedback and bass distortion for this.
-this is the first album SY didnt tour for, due to Kim's pregnancy.
Due to the fact that this album has a lot of filler, I'm only going to review the individual highlight tracks.
2.)
Bull in the Heather
this song features Kim on vocals. this was the first song i ever heard Kim sing on. the song begins with some clean tone guitars doing some light harmonics. only the lead guitar is distorted in this song, which is different for SY. the lead guitar work is very cartoony and bright, with an eerie rhythm guitar, rhythmic bass, and a very cool drumline done with only and basshead, snare, and maraca.
3.)
Starfield Road
i love this one. its themed like the name. this track goes back to SY's earlier chaotic noisey style. just with the guitars, bass, and drums, they make a wave of noise that immitates the sound of engines, explosions, and beams. then halfway through the song, most of the crazyness drops down and the vocals start. the vocals are awesome too. great song.
5.)
Screaming Skull
another reviving of their noisey sound, but the last one of its kind on the CD. some may label this song as repetitive, but i like it. very jumpy, and screechy. i like to plug in my guitar and jump around my room with this song.
6.)
Self-Obsessed and Sexxee
this song has the grungier, punkier feel of the "Dirty" album. this is a good song, no doubt about that, but it lacks the strangeness and creativeness that other SY songs have.
8.)
Androgynous Mind
this song is sweet. the only constant elements of this song are the rhythm guitar and vocals. the bass and lead guitar keeps doing random weird things that just appear and go away. you have to hear it for yourself to get what im saying.great great great song.
10.)
Waist
a more energetic song. has a very "running" kind of feeling to it. as if it draws out and keeps running along. not much to say about this, but its a really good song.
13.)
In The Mind of the Bourgeouis Reader
whatever "bourgeouis" means, i may never know. but this song kicks arse.
has a very "batman" sounding guitar riff, with loud thumping bass and drums. but what hinders this song is that its like "Self Obsessed and Sexxee". its too modern, with no usual SY antics behind it.
14.)
Sweet Shine
another Kim song. this song is VERY out of place on this CD, but its very very good. its really peaceful and nice. kinda makes you think of a big field of flowers. very pretty song, and good album closer, since it wouldnt fit in if it were to be placed between two of their colder, more eerie songs.
all in all, this album may not be for everyone, but for those who are willing to give this CD a chance, will see that there is a whole lot to it. its definitely not for the casual listener. i'll give it two scores:
for the dedicated SY fan: 9/10
non-SY fan: 6/10
Good Sonic Youth Links:
[url]http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/tab/tuning.html[/url] (so many tunings :eek: )
[url]http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/eq/gear.html[/url] (any of you have this many guitars?)
[url]http://www.sonicyouth.com/videos/index.html[/url] (for those of you who havent heard too much SY, watch all the videos.
[url]http://www.sonicyouth.com/freestuff/index.html[/url] (teh free stuff)
