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Album Details
- Artist: Sonic Youth
- Album: Rather Ripped
- Label: Geffen Records
- Year of Release: 2006
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: mschmitt on 2006-09-03
RecommendThe godfather’s (and godmother) of the underground are still kicking, and their long-awaited new release "Rather Ripped" proves it. Everything that makes Sonic Youth great is here, slightly-haunting vocal mysteries, masterful guitar work, and complex unexpected songs. Yet those expecting some experimental masterpiece that blows the rock world into shambles will be disappointed, those looking for a few new Sonic Youth jams will not be. "Pink Steam" is the obvious instrumental gem on Rather Ripped, providing the listener with six minutes of pure ear candy. Sonic Youth’s famous guitar work is there, but with a more laid back, progressive feel. The solos show just have mature the indie group have become, adding little touches of distortion there and a bit of fuzz there, this one could survive on hour on repeat. The rest of the album follows in the same attitude, laid back, almost lazy, but still flowing on steadily. Songs like "Jams Run Free" and "Lights Off" project a slow-moving yet eerie feel, stretching vocalists Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore’s singing to a haunting effect. Influences of The Doors can be found in "Rats," which was unexpected from an alternative band, but unexpected is what Sonic Youth is all about isn’t it? Rather Ripped isn’t some roller coaster of sonic bliss, shattering our innocent ideas of rock, but rather an unhurried album that finds Sonic Youth trying out new territory. The slow moving songs have a beauty to them, the lyrics are an enigma to unravel, and an ear can easily find a guitar note there, or a vocal croon here that sends shivers down the spine. A slow burner from Sonic Youth, but one that burns well.
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on 2008-04-17 Captain Melona Said:
5/5, agreed completely, but any less cannot be expected for a band like Sonic Youth. This album was a definite proof that yes, some band no matter how old, will never have only the names of their old glory to offer. Sonic Youth is still kicking: the same superior guitar and bass, same crazy and original distortion, same drum wonders, and same godly voice of Kim (totally melancholic, bit husky, sexy, or just plain ear candy) and Moore (That wonder of a voice, a vocal who manages to not sound like he is trying hard...but do better than most that does.) First it blows you away with Reena . I listened to that song repeatedly so many times after opening and popping in the CD with the giddy excitement of a crazy fan girl, and said "Wow..." (although I ended up doing the same for all the song after it as well.) All compliments to the songs mentioned above by the good people of ME, but if I have to mention one song in this CD, I will mention Incinerate . You just have to bob your head to that, and Moore does a splendid job to that somewhat nostalgic tune of the sweet guitars...it have manage to become one of my favorite Thurston piece. Another good song (although they are all good of course,) not mentioned is Do You Believe in Rapture? It has the guitar and vocal tone that is reminiscent of some of their quieter and calmer songs, such as Peace Attack from their Sonic Nurse and Winners Blues (not quite a match as Peace Attack) from Jet Set. Quiet, slow, melodic and dreamy song with enough satire to make Mark Twain smile. A beautiful album to continue on the Sonic Youth legacy, the original fire still lives on.
Rating: 10/10
