There are few bands that emerged from the early-to-mid-80s underground/college scene that still enjoy success today. But Sonic Youth made it against what should have been impossible odds. Utilizing oddly tuned guitars, below-average singers, and a noise/art sound that should have been appreciated by a few, Sonic Youth had all the makings of a band whose career would have concluded at three albums, and whose legacy today would only live on via reviews by Pitchfork. Not the case. With the release of the sixteenth (!!) album, Sonic Youth has done the impossible: they have dropped an album which can be appreciated on a massive scale (rather than only by indie-rock aficionados young and old) without straying from the style that they have molded and absolutely perfected for the past (approaching) thirty years. And, on top of all of this, they haven't made such a rocking album since Dirty. Opening with "Sacred Trickster," the track covers all the points of a Sonic Youth song: well-crafted dual guitar play, Kim Gordon sings in her help-me-in-getting-tortured voice, and on top of it all, the song just sounds perfectly crafted and entirely tight. In fact, throughout the album, the three vocalists sound great even at their age (Kim Gordon just turned 56). Thurston is the predominant singer, while Kim and Lee Ronaldo add their own flavor to their tracks (as usual, Ronaldo shines on his two songs, "What We Know" and "Walking Blue"). The happily married couple (25 years) of Thurston (Moore, lead guitar) and Kim even share a "duet" as the two trade spirited lines before the song transforms into a slowly pace, almost psychedelic overture ("Anti-Orgasm"). It is amazing that a band who prided themselves on their devotion to uniqueness have survived for all these years; and more amazingly done so by releasing album after album of great material. Sonic Youth followers (old and new) will find a genuine appreciation for this one. And if you're new to their sound just sit back, relax and be prepared to become a fan.
4.5/5.0
Standout tracks: "Antenna" "Anti-Orgasm" "Poison Arrow" "Thunderclaps (For Bobby Pyn)"
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