This is the place to discuss this noisy legend of a band, now sadly defunct. If you've never listened to them before, I would recommend Daydream Nation as an entry point, and then depending on whether you prefer either that record's more experimental or pop-oriented qualities, either move backwards or forwards, respectively, through their expansive discography.
One of the greatest bands in the history of rock, anyone who says otherwise is full of it in my opinion.
I've been digging into their work on and off for about 3 years now. I've listened to Daydream Nation, Murray Street, Sonic Nurse, Goo and Dirty. Daydream Nation is my favorite but otherwise I prefer what they achieved on those later albums more.
I remember hearing Teenage Riot on Rock Band and loving it. That's how I got introduced to them haha. I've still been meaning to spend a day listening to their discography from Daydream upwards. I've heard a couple of their records, but the one I've spent the most time with is Goo. Love it
Finally got around to hearing Sonic Nurse and now all I want to do right now is listen to that record Murray Street just got a capable challenger for my second favorite album of theirs. Sonic Nurse has both some of their best noise making and some of their best songwriting. (Hard to argue with Daydream Nation being king.)
If you ask me Sonic Youth ushered an entirely new era of rock that was less involved with dancing and showing off and more about pushing modern instruments to their creative limits. When you listen to them and think "They were ahead of their time" thats still not giving them full credit. They directly influenced grunge, punk, shoegaze, you name it, I would say the majority of indie rock owes at least a small piece of their background to Sonic Youth and their willingness to break barriers, trends and descriptions.
Okay but like wheres all the other people who like this band We need to fix this whole lack of discussion about Sonic Youth thing
I just read Girl In a Band about a month ago, this is nice timing. Goo was my first Sonic Youth record (eighth grade me could not figure out what was going on half the time) and it's tied for my favorite with Daydream Nation currently. EVOL is also sick, that one was the first time when I heard noise be used softly, as opposed to an abrasive sonic assault. I gotta dive into the rest, Dirty has been on my list for a looong time
I think I saw them tour before. Its been a while. Daydream Nation turned me on, and Goo nailed it for me. I found this because Kims new song, which Ill listen to later.
FINALLY listened to a full album (Goo) from this band today and I absolutely loved it. I already know to hit Daydream Nation next, any other recommendations of what else to listen to?
Thread needs more love for Sister and Bad Moon Rising. I've been listening to those two a lot lately but their whole discography is incredible
Went on a whim to go see 1991: The Year Punk Broke and... I didn't love it. But Thurston was a lot of fun to watch and I am currently listening to Goo for the first time and digging it quite a bit.
I feel like Bad Moon Rising doesn't get enough credit. Out of all the Sonic Youth albums Bad Moon Rising has the most unique vibe. This dark, weird, mysterious vibe that lures you in. Even though Death Valley '69 is the standout track, the first side of the album is seriously good.
I like I Love Her All the Time but the album version sounds a little bit restrained. The version of the song they play on 1991: The Year Punk Broke is insane.