Sonic Youth review

The journey into the world of Sonic youth began for me in early 1983 after purchasing the original six song vinyl EP on Nuetral Records out of a used bin from the now defunct Renee's Records on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. The $1.98 price tag is still on the record. I had never heard this band yet the cover seemed to draw me in. The band resembled computer geeks although presented in a strange way.
I soon found out there was nothing geeky about this band.
Back home the needle dropped down and something almost hypnotizing came over me. A sound so wrong, but yet so right. All the lessons and techniques you had ever learned as a musician were tossed out the window. A few weeks later at an all night mushroom gathering the record played over and over for my friends. It began to all make sense. Seventeen years later and nothing has changed. Nothing ever will. The band continues to amaze while digging farther into my soul. Tickets go on sale thus Saturday for their next LA appearance. Hopefully all the Sonic gear will be in lock down so they dont suffer the same fate as before the "This Ain't No Picnic Fest" where all their equipment was stolen.

The newest release opens with a surprise in all reality lasting seven minutes and thirty seconds. To set the mood, telling you once again that this band doesn't need commercial radio airplay to survive. Most likely because the masses are too ignorant to ever understand. Deeper and deeper into despair. A spoken word, a rant, a rhyme set up up with music and noise.

Intimidated I stood with my back against the wall. Fifteen feet above Thurston Moore stood along the railing. Another LA show at the VA Auditorium. Looking up I timidly asked if he would stand with the DJ's for a picture. Hesitation turned to shock when he nodded yes and came down the stairs. The only problem was that Hot Karl didn't know what the fuck he was doing with the camera and the pictures never turned out.

Everyone who is a fan of Sonic Youth has their own impression of the band and of the music. To try to sum it all up in a review is somewhat impossible. I do know that after 10 listenings my favorite song on the CD is the title track. lee on Vocals for this adventure through New York City. The end comes with Kim singing about Lightnin'. She Who Cannot Be Named, Hot Karl and I spent a September morning last year locked in a NYC hotel room as Hurricane Floyd pounded Times Square. It wasn't so much lightnin' as it was a Sonic storm.

Without a doubt, this CD will be in my year end top 10. I can honestly say this is one of Sonic Youth's strongest and most well rounded releases and believe me, I have heard them all.
Eighteen years have passed for this band and I wonder what they will sound like in 2018.

Grade: A
Deejay O.S.
Destroy Radio