Sonic Youth: The Eternal
Sonic Youth sing of The Eternal
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Monday, 08, Jun 2009 09:27
Matador , out June 8th.
In a nutshell...
Sonic Youth ditch major, make monster.
What's it all about?
Finally free of the shackles of the major label, leaving Geffen records after submitting mainstream-shunning records for the best part of a decade-and-a-half, NYC heroes Sonic Youth seem to be reinvigorated by their new-found freedom. Now signed to Matador Records, The Eternal sees the band hitting a rich vein of form. Whether anyone is still around to really notice the change is, however, up for debate.
Who's it by?
Formed in 1980, Sonic Youth are now onto their 16th full-length record. Worshipped in indie circles, each album has represented a subtle progression from its predecessor. From the no-wave ear splitters Kill Yr Idols, Evol and Sister, to the alt-rock anthems that made up Goo and Dirty, after making the step to major label following the success of the classic Daydream Nation.
More recent records reflected a change in attitude from label bosses, who, struggling to cope with the post-grunge comedown, starting paying the band little attention. This may go a long way to explaining how they were able to release such esoteric material for a number of years.
The Eternal is Sonic Youth's 16th album and their first for Matador. Also new is Mark Ibold, formerly of Pavement, who takes over bass duties.
As an example...
"Penetration - destroys the body/Violation - on a cosmic party/Do you under - stand the problem /Anti-war - is anti-orgasm." - Anti -Orgasm
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Sonic Youth's chances of grabbing the Grammy committee's attention is, most likely, long gone. This, however, is a record full of vitality and the recent explosion of no-wave music from the other side of the pond proves that Sonic Youth are as vital as ever.
What the others say
"Yes, The Eternal is 'Another Sonic Youth Record' but it's also 'Another Good Sonic Youth record', revealing its finer details gradually, even if there's no fundamentally new approach, arrangement, or message, in any of the songs." - Drowned in Sound
"The 16th album by this most iconic of indie-rock combos... boasts several of their most electrifying performances in recent memory." - Times
So is it any good?
On the surface, all is very familiar to the casual listener: wilfully obscure references (beat poet Gregory Corso, anyone?), twisted melodies wrapped in dissonance and Kim Gordon's love-it-or-loathe-it vocal delivery.
Multiple listens, however, reveal myriad nuances befitting a band in their 30th year of existence. Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo's guitar work infuses each track with incredible energy, drummer Steve Shelley keeps things tight when all around him can often feel scattered in its composition, while Mark Ibold's contribution is an excellent one, providing several killer basslines.
Album opener Sacred Trickster is pure intent, Anti-Orgasm its corroborating statement, with Kim Gordon in terrifyingly sexy form and a dirty riff suffusing the track with dangerous undertones - this is a Sonic Youth rediscovering their youth and potency. Antenna, meanwhile, is a lovelorn beauty, which is juxtaposed with What We Know, with what may be Ibold's greatest contribution, not to mention a riff with real bite. It's been a while.
The clear standout, however, is closer Massage the History. A lovely, sprawling composition, this feels like the perfect culmination of the introspect angle Sonic Youth's music has taken through the Noughties, which didn't always seem to make a lot of sense. That this body of work does make sense will come as a relief to those still lending their ear. To the deserters, I plead with you to return!
8/10
John McGlone