Sonic Youth Sister LP
Hey, there’s one song on this LP I like, a cover of CRIME’s “Hot Wire My Heart”. The rest is just too oozingly cool for me, though there are VELVET-y moments that appeal.
MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL
Hey, there’s one song on this LP I like, a cover of CRIME’s “Hot Wire My Heart”. The rest is just too oozingly cool for me, though there are VELVET-y moments that appeal.
Not all that different from their last LP. There’s not a lot of maniacal guitar noise—more concentrated on the low, somber sound. More spooky weirdness from these folks.
This one is even more of a drone than ever. “Flower” is upbeat in their classic noise style while the title track is lyrically provocative and musically sedate. Still, both songs are good. Not my fare, but I wouldn’t be without.
Good atmospheric production makes the noise hang together better than on a lot of their releases. “Fuck” is bleeped throughout the A-side, which really grates more than the music. Flip is the A-side backwards, and no bleeps.
Recorded live in ’83, both sides of this disc rip. While not my absolute fave type of sound, this no-wave-meets-hardcore group attacks with noise and energy, and this release is as good a demonstration of their efforts as any.
Once again, bravely mixing their snotty garage sound with all-out noisefests, the new SONIC YOUTH LP is full of careening walls of sound and mixtures of delicate and uncomfortable tension. “Ghost Bitch” is one of the creepiest songs I’ve ever heard. Some gore filmmaker better grab these guys while they’re still cheap! This also includes their duet with LYDIA LUNCH on “Death Valley ’69.”
A match made in hell? Actually, this single is pretty enjoyable. While I haven’t really liked LYDIA LUNCH since TEENAGE JESUS & THE JERKS, the focus of SONIC YOUTH forces her into a structure that makes the result a lot more accessible. Almost sounds like PATTI SMITH.
We’re bordering on ambient slow-burn here, but I’m still drawn…no, sucked into this band’s whole thing. They simply can do no wrong. I’m the biased jerk who really shouldn’t be reviewing this babe. Not for everybody, but then neither is good taste.
We fucked up by not reviewing their recent US release, so here’s one of the European debut of this New York combo. They’re sort of a refreshing throwback to the “No Wave” era in NYC, especially in the singing and guitar parts, but they’ve infused it with certain English- or German-style post-punk constructions. It all adds up to “art with an edge.” Lyle H’s fave.
