|
Written by Luke Oram
|
|
Thursday, 09 July 2009 13:21 |
 |
There are some bands for which you don’t need a history lesson.
Some bands, seem like they’ve just always been there, etched into the landscape of popular music.
NYC noise-merchants
SONIC YOUTH
have always been one of those bands.
A total fixture in the pop culture scene, ever-referenced and revered by current music icons.
The most impressive thing about Sonic Youth; is the fact that they continue to make some of the best music of their 28-year career, with 2009’s 'The Eternal' standing as the highest-charting album of their career yet. |
Most often hailed as one of the most important architects of the alternative rock movement, the band carved a name for themselves as pioneers of the genre; redefining the art of playing with alternative tuning and a D.I.Y. ethic (including playing guitars with screwdrivers) to create their art-noise sound. 'The Eternal' continues the Youth’s heavy experimentation, but is also perfectly accessible. Tracks like 'Anti-Orgasm' pay homage to the roots of their punk-rock edge, with vocalists Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon and Lee Ranaldo trading spit-slogans over thrumming bass and muted walls of guitar sound. 'Leaky Lifeboat [for Gregory Corso]' carries off in stoner-rock swagger – the sound still harkening back to a brilliant nostalgia. Best thing about 'The Eternal' is that it sounds like a 90’s album in the most genuine and heartfelt way; a landscape their counterparts Dinosaur Jr. have always managed to conjure.
The de-tuned freak-outs 'What We Know' and 'Poison Arrow' shed a light on Sonic Youth’s immortality – they’re still writing the same riffs, shunning a 20th century makeover – for some bands; the best evolution is to stick with the established formula. For Kim Gordon and co, the formula is a winner.
'Walkin Blue' sounds like Thurston Moore’s tribute to an R.E.M out-take, descending into weird-out solos, ringing guitars and ad-nauseum jam-out ending. 'The Eternal' also brings to light some of the once-hidden strong suits of the band in the form of Gordon’s vocals, some of her best yet. Ending on Gordon’s whispered sleeper hit 'Massage the History'; 'The Eternal' is a testament to Sonic Youth’s place in the musical totem pole of history – high up, defined and immutable. |
