"Goo" was the best Sonic Youth release.

[Floogeldy]

"Tunic," "Dirty Boots," and "Disappearer" were the best songs.

[driver8]

1. Was that the album they tuned their guitars for??

I don't get the whole Sonic Youth thing...I like "Teenage Riot" and that's about it.

[Floogeldy]

2. They used a lot of alternative tunings.

I think they hit a peak with Goo. :)

[pitohui]

3. 'k but are you going to help us chicks escape white male corporate oppression? EOM

.

[Floogeldy]

4. I'm all over it.

;)

[enigmatic]

5. Daydream Nation

[Treclo]

6. Dirty Boots Rocks.

But a Boy Named Goo is awesome, too. And who on this planet doesn't love Kim belting out....
"When are you gonna deliver us girls from male, white, corporate oppression?" (YEAH, TELL IT LIKE IT IS)


I don't wanna, I don't think so

[vi5]

7. No way.....

That was the start of their overly pretentious downfall when they thought they could actually make what they do successfull and mainstream. It wasn't a horrible album but the music they were making when they were wallowing away in relative obscurity was far more dangerous, experimental, and good. Sister is my personal favorite as it is a near flawless album which seamlessly blends their flair for experimentation with excellent songcraft without sacrificing anything on either side. The problem with any of their post Daydream Nation work is that they try and write catchy songs and then think that include these "weird interludes" in the middle of the songs somehow maintains their experimental cred. Their true genius has been when they blend both seamlessly.

[Floogeldy]

8. Here is my disagreement with you.

Although, I am not sure what you mean by "experimentation." For example, listen to a Bach piece. It is ordered in its creation and it is written as it is. That is all. I see the same thing in the songs that I referenced on Goo.

The musical parts fit, blend, play off of each other, and become mutual counter-melodies at meaningful times. The organization of the musical parts is not the product of jamming, happenstance or luck. The guitar melodies in these songs may have originally been stumbled upon, but eventually became considered compositions. I appreciate that much more than jumble, noise or less than competent improvisation.

But, perhaps, I misread your post or you should better explain to me "dangerous, experimental, and good."

Disorder can be a consequence of accurately reflecting emotional reality. However, disorder can also be confusion. Yes, Sonic Youth may have incorporated their original guitar styles (weird) into these songs, but they are crafted much better, in my opinion.

BTW, I am speaking musically. The lyrics of "Tunic" are far superior to "Disappearer" or "Dirty Boots."

[vi5]

12. No, that's right which is what I think my issue is...

On albums like Sister and Evol and Daydream Nation (to a lesser extent) the seamlessly meld the musicianship, songwriting quality, and the noisiness and experimentation. It all blends as part of one another.

My issue with their later work is that they seemed to separate the two much more within the context of each song. In other words rather than having some noise or dissonance as an undercurrent or integral part of a song, they would write a "normal" song and then simply place a chunk of noise in between the regular parts of the song. Like including a jam session in the middle of each song.

[mitchum]

10. I thought their true genius was in their networking, co opting, and...

"Hey! we're into that too!"
Always the emperor's new leather jacket

[vi5]

13. I totally agree with that too....

And again I think that's what became their priority and where they lost their focus.

[mitchum]

9. No, that would be "Evol"

[gmoney]

11. I know it's pop, but "Kool Thing" could NOT be any better

A great video, too...

"Word up... yeah..."