The new Sonic Youth record, “Rather Ripped”, was released today. I’m not normally one to run out and buy records the day they’re released, but I heard a few tracks in advance and got uncharacteristically excited about this one.
So… it’s no disappointment! It was recorded for the most part at NYC’s legendary Sear Sound, and it shows. There’s a level of pleasurable detail here that kind of got lost in the mud on a few of the recent records (I’m thinking Sonic Nurse here), and there’s mucho melody and texture to sink your sonic brain into. Also, Kim Gordon does exactly zero raspy talk/singing, merciful heavens!
This is also the first release in a while without 5th member Jim O’Rourke who, while one of my favorite renaissance men of pop music, I think threw a wrench into the sleek minimal thing that Sonic Youth does best these days.
The instant headgrabber is the 2nd track, “Incinerate”, a classic upbeat/melancholy Thurston Moore track which you can listen to here.
June 14th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
for those who don’t have the album. they can stream the entire album here:
http://www.sonicyouth.com/alt-main/rippedpop.html