Rather Ripped - Sonic Youth
Rather Ripped Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 47 Ratings

  • Summary: This self-produced 20th album finds the New York band back down to a four-piece, with Jim O'Rourke dropping out after two albums.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 34
  2. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. This is their radio-rock record, and it's not a tribute, it's as close to the real thing as they've come since they actually had a chance at radio play back in the '90s.
  2. Rather Ripped is what you'd expect from a Sonic Youth that's getting back to the cool rock 'n' roll sound they trademarked years ago, completed by a tagline of frenzied feedback and chiming guitars.
  3. All in, this is a terrific, life-affirming and, at times, deeply romantic album - one that proves the potentials in both rock'n'roll and the electric guitar.
  4. 60
    Their songiest record in more than a decade. [Jun 2006, p.145]

See all 34 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. For a group whose reputation has long rested on tremendous risk-taking, to make a risk-averse album can be itself risky: it stands to be denigrated as dull and half-assed by some critics who think that innovation can only go in one directionâ Expand
  2. Rather ripped is a beautiful album that can still pack a punch. Every song is very beautiful and Incinerate could be the song of the decade. Sonic Youth is one of the only bands that can be thirty years old, but still have more life then most bands debut albums. Expand
  3. jyotirmayad
    7
    It's a pleasant album, but it falls flat in places where it should soar.
  4. Joe
    4
    Hm, don't get me wrong. Sonic Youth is my favourite band, but this album just isn't that good. I find it pretty boring, and their worst album to date. Expand

See all 30 User Reviews