Sonic Youth: The MIchael Jordan of Indie Rock?
Sonic Youth is so good at what they do at this point in their career it is difficult to discuss with each new album exactly how it compares to their vast catalog. Sonic Youth albums never disappoint just as Meryl Streep’s acting never seems to be less than perfect, or Michael Jordan’s game was never anything but dominant. While I find Streep and Jordan boring because of their perfection and lack of surprise, Sonic Youth’s dominance in the underground rock sweepstakes never means they dial it in. Each new album in itself works as a whole (sterling arguments counter to the old ‘the album is dead!’ proclamation) harboring a multitude of thrills and unexpected avenues you suspected someone must have explored somewhere but didn’t.
The Eternal is Sonic Youth’s first album for Matador and a reunion of sorts with Gerard Cosloy whom issued the band’s seminal Bad Moon Rising. The album holds its own identity yet feeds from the playful looseness of Rather Ripped combined with the politico noise pop of Dirty. “Sacred Trixter” is a two minute rush with a breathless Kim Gordon working against grinding/sighing guitar strings. “Antenna” is a melancholic mess of chiming guitars and hooky lyrics much like “Disappearer”. ”What We Know” and “Walkin Blue” are Lee’s strongest songs in years.
Much was made of Jim O’Rourke’s time in Sonic Youth, but I would have to say the albums that have followed his residence are much stronger. Rather Ripped saw the original quartet serve up their best songs since Dirty. The Eternal is similarly focused, appearing as if the band’s core, the four, are what make the machine get up and go. Mark Ibold (Dustdevils, Pavement) plays bass for the band now, as he did on its last tour. Hard to tell from the liner notes if he contributed to the recording, though the bass line on Lee’s “What We Know” sounds decidedly different for the way the bass plays against Thurston and Lee’s guitars.The Eternal will stand as one of 2009’s best, but how do you rate a fantastic album in a fantastic band’s catalog? It’s all subjective - there’s no science - It’s all your heart. . . Ron Asheton forever indeed.
Sonic Youth - Antenna (Link Removed By Request)
ONE LAST NOTE: Concerning the removal of link - I was contacted by Matador with a polite notice to not post songs from Sonic Youth’s new album. Sonic Youth is my favorite band, and in no way was the post meant to hurt. As a record store employee might share a song with a customer is how I saw the post - regardless, I also see the point a small label has in calling it a pirate copy. I love the band, I love the label, I have zero problem removing any link that is asked to be removed. I can only say, go out and buy this album now as well as the Slash autobiography I am reading right now. What a great summer read!!! The Eternal might make the best soundtrack for Slash’s musings on teenage lust and Black Sabbath . . .
