Who or what is "Sonic Youth?"

[Tyler Durden]

Excuse one of the resident Old Farts, but it sounds disturbingly like some sort of "HAPPY, HAPPY" group of Young Americans, singing positive, patriotic songs.

I have no idea who these people are.

[Orrex]

1. Well, they're not really "youth" anymore

They're basically old farts just like you. They've been around for quite a few years.

[Tyler Durden]

4. Some sort of "band," then?

I thought as much. Have heard the name from time to time. No reference can be made.

Wanna go get high and listen to King Crimson??

[datasuspect]

2. i think they were the hitler youth division

that was involved in rocketry experiments.

oops! i shitted again.

[MrCoffee]

3. call congress. they fucking know.

[anarch]

5. here you go...

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:u69gs35ba3mg

[idgiehkt]

6. I'm ashamed to say I'm not all that familiar with their music

I might have heard some of their songs and recognize them but don't know it...I know they are very influential and were featured with Nirvana, the Muffs, Babes in Toyland, etc in the movie "1991, The Year Punk Broke". Are you sure that they were before your time, cause they actually might have been after your time, really.

[Tyler Durden]

7. Way after my time, I'm afraid.

I'm pre-disco.

[Initech]

17. Daydream Nation - awesome CD

I also really like their newest disc "Rather Ripped".

[Tyrone Slothrop]

8. A kick-ass NYC post-punk outfit that started in the early 80s

And is still putting out great albums.

They went through a bit of a slump in the mid-to-late 90s, but their last 3 albums have been among their best.

[Archae]

9. This guy.

:D

[ghostsofgiants]

10. This is Sonic Youth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4q3c0Jv1hA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGML3ntx7Gc

[idgiehkt]

11. it kind of

sounds like pop with alot of distortion. I don't know how I missed out on this since I really liked alot of the grunge bands they inspired. Can't explain it, maybe it's just too slow for me or something.

[ghostsofgiants]

12. I like them, but never really got that into them.

If I hear one of their songs I'll say "ooh, awesome, Sonic Youth," but I've never bought one of their albums or anything.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. Both those links are from "Dirty"

Based on the bands that you seem to like (from what I can tell by your posts, anyway), you should check out "Sister" or "Daydream Nation".

Those are the best albums from their early days. (Also, they're definitely more of an album band than a singles band -- hence why Daydream is fairly steadily ranked among critics' top 5/10 albums of the 80s.)

Sincerely,

A long-time SY fan

[ghostsofgiants]

15. Thanks for the tip!

I'll check those out.

[cemaphonic]

16. Yeah, I'll back Sister and Daydream Nation too.

Some really unusual tuning on those albums, especially for pop music.

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. Thurston did a half-hour improv show at my seminary a couple years ago

it was fucking amazing.

An immense wall of distortion and feedback from him and another guitarist and a drummer and a cellist that lasted a little over a half hour.

A night I will never forget! And there were only 50 or 60 of us gathered in the chapel. Intense!

[JackBeck]

13. They also did a cover album of Madonna songs under the name

"Ciccone Youth".