Sonic Youth: Classic or Dud/S&D?

the one and only time I saw SY was at the hammerstein on the NYCG&F tour but the peter brötzmann octet opened instead of stereolab for some reason. they were about as loud as SY! i liked that album a good deal when it came out but have no idea what i’d think of it now, haven’t listened to it in years.

I'm still working my way through the SY catalog. Whoever said Dirty would be up my alley was spot-on - I think it even beats out Sister. Just really consistent and focused, great sound, even the bonus tracks.

I didn't like Goo apart from a couple tracks, even though there's a stylistic similarity with Dirty. I can't explain why some Goo tracks sound grating where similar Dirty tracks don't. But kinda feeling sarahell's pov, because every album has had at least one or two incredible songs (I'll single out "Dirty Boots" and "Disappearer" on Goo)

pretty sure SY played Stubbs for SXSW, I wanna say 2002? But I also feel it was later, perhaps just before Nurse?

Got to see a Stereolab + Sonic Youth show. Went from strength to strength in my opinion, both bands ruling and making for one of the better double bills I have ever seen. Sonic Youth was a fantastic live band at that time, so I mean Stereolab also ruled but both delivered a high-level version of what they were doing well at the time.

comprehensive SY resource for gigs, etc: http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/sy/

I don't remember any opening act on that tour in Montreal.

I definitely remember seeing Stereolab opening for them. The only time I ever saw Stereolab.

that Brent D review of NYC G&F is amazing

I definitely remember seeing Stereolab opening for them. The only time I ever saw Stereolab.

According to the setlist on the page tylerw linked, you're right. We probably just got there in time for SY then.

Sounds like we missed a good opening set, based on this thread.

I'm still working my way through the SY catalog. Whoever said Dirty would be up my alley was spot-on - I think it even beats out Sister. Just really consistent and focused, great sound, even the bonus tracks.

I didn't like Goo apart from a couple tracks, even though there's a stylistic similarity with Dirty. I can't explain why some Goo tracks sound grating where similar Dirty tracks don't. But kinda feeling sarahell's pov, because every album has had at least one or two incredible songs (I'll single out "Dirty Boots" and "Disappearer" on Goo)

― Vinnie, Monday, October 7, 2019 8:28 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

Interesting, I think Dirty is my least favorite of their "good albums." Can't really explain it. (I also think "Mote" is the strongest track on Goo, tho, so what do i know).

agree with you table. Thanks to all who sent me back to NYC Ghosts - haven't listened in years, it's not in my top ten but I like its low-key spacious beatnik vibe.

Goo is their worst album, and Mote is the best track on it (closely followed by Disappearer).

No way, nyc g&f is insufferable, Goo is pretty good.

I would have agreed that it was insufferable but I listened this morning and tried to think of it like a SYR release. I've mellowed toward it considerably.

I returned to NYCG&F over the weekend for the first time in probably a decade ... and realized that it's actually a lot better than I'd thought, with some unusual textures and directions.

Goo is great, Kool Thing and Dirty Boots and Tunic are some of their best songs

also really like NYCG&F, not so much for the individual songs as the whole mood of the album

as Raymond said

the eternal is their worst album, until such time as i start really liking it

Goo was huge for me as a kid. Never warmed to Dirty despite some wonderful moments. Mostly lost track of them after EJST&NS, although I just picked up A Thousand Leaves cheap so I’ll be giving that a few spins soon.

My band in high school used to cover Mote; it’s a great pop tune.

Mote is really good

will have to listen to The Eternal again. they were alway my favorite band but I started losing interest at the end

I do love Goo as well, and when I dip into it these days it’s for “Disappearer”which is absolutely massive when you crank it. I find it really unsettling, deep sense of dread throughout.

agree about Disappearer

yep - accompanying video also made that song more vivid for me

so kim's new lp is really interesting and for me surprisingly enjoyable. major Suicide and occasionally Fall vibes.

big soft spot for the sound and textures of NYCG&F, and it's probably the last thing by them i was really into. it also has maybe my favorite cover and inner sleeve art of any sy album.

Just me or is this new Kim album a wee bit industrial?

yeah initial thoughts on a few tracks were actually NIN/Ministry, but then i figured she was probably going for more of a Suicide vibe.

need to stop saying vibe/vibes

Bits of it reminded me more of "The Unutterable" era Fall or the Von Südenfed record, the whole record is great

Loving the Kim record so far

gut kinda says that Kim would find Ministry/NIN really dorky/suburban/embarrassing but who knows?

Hungry Baby is very Fall

so do i need to listen to this then?

if you want to rock out and have a good time, yes

need to check out the new kim. the new thurston is pretty happening too!

whoa thx for the heads up y'all

yes

She's signing today at Amoeba H'wood (7pm), if anyone wants to bring their copy of the Ciccone Youth vinyl.

Dirty's just too long.

But there's no cutoff point; it's got good tunes everywhere.

Unpacking now after a move and I have 20 SY cds!? I love them but cringe at points of each of their solo careers (though Steve is unimpeachable). SY is comfort food at this point and I still listen at least weekly. Going to listen to Kim's record today though Murdered Out and Air BnB were not my bag.

Dirty's just too long

You can think an album is too long without using it as the sole measure of quality.

(This food is too salty. What, so saltiness is your measure of how good good is?)

I’ve been blasting Goo a bunch the last several days, it’s been a blast

;)

The Kim sings on Dirty sound too much like she's puking into the microphone.

*songs

9 minutes of goodness, what more can you ask for?

A shorter album produced by Jake.

You can think an album is too long without using it as the sole measure of quality

(This food is too salty. What, so saltiness is your measure of how good good is?)

the tipping point from which a meal changes from tasty to oversalted is more or less the same for most people. but length as criterion to judge music is very subjective, what is too long depends completely on the listener.

[returns back to listening to the zero years poll tracks]

Songs I like on Dirty: "Theresa's Sound-World," "Youth Against Fascism," "Purr," "Wish Fulfillment," "Swimsuit Issue," 'JC," "Chapel Hill," "Drunken Butterfly," "Sugar Kane."