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.
With Rather Ripped they continue their slow but remarkable progression that currently finds them, for the most part, dropping old SY standbys such as long experimental noise passages in exchange for a significantly more sedated route.
The concept is brillant, the new loud is quiet, the new unpop is poppy. Ripping sounds and riffs from early influencial pop bands and The concept is brillant, the new loud is quiet, the new unpop is poppy. Ripping sounds and riffs from early influencial pop bands and recreating them into new material with very personal themes which all at once gain a level of the personal and makes it universal; that is the goal of a true artist in any medium and to do this on their 15th album is genius and to make it enjoyable even more so. This album is the perfect summer album and will be listened to for years from now. Classic.…Collapse
Another great album in the Sonic's cannon. This is one for those that wouldn't normally get into this band's long expiremental Another great album in the Sonic's cannon. This is one for those that wouldn't normally get into this band's long expiremental jams since everything is laid out tight and concise this time around. Nice melodies and great tight playing - and just enough of that "otherworldliness" that the group is justifiably famous for. One of the best albums of 2006.…Expand
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 beFor 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
I'm not hearing the "Daydream Nation" comparisons, but def in the same vein as Murray Street and Sonic Nurse less the 3 minute guitar I'm not hearing the "Daydream Nation" comparisons, but def in the same vein as Murray Street and Sonic Nurse less the 3 minute guitar freak-outs and texture.…Expand
Compulsively listenable with a far more subtle quality to the arrangements and an altogether more organic feel than its predecessor; the Compulsively listenable with a far more subtle quality to the arrangements and an altogether more organic feel than its predecessor; the ambitious, but inconsistent Sonic Nurse. Sonic Youth sound more confident than they have ever been since Daydream Nation, I'm not kidding. Having accepted their arrival into middle age, Kim and particularly Thurston no longer sound as if they have any hangups about still trying to sound like college kids anymore. From Goo up until Sonic Nurse, there has always something of the grunge era to Sonic Youth. Though these albums had standout tracks and they maintained a willingness to give us complex song structures, a sense of genuine sonic experimentation and , by turn, authenticity had been missing from their music. Although Rather Ripped could never be mistaken for anything leftfield (the exhilarating noise of "Helen Ljungberg" aside), it's unique among SY's discography. Though they might be accused of not trying very hard, they don't need to. It's not their most fun album, but hey, they're taking life at a different pace now and while Rather Ripped falls way short of being a classic, it manages to be both dignified and consistently enjoyable. Roll on the next album.…Expand
While not up to the standards they set on Teenage Nation (1988), Goo (1990), Dirty (1992), or Experimental Jet Set, Trash & No Star (1994), While not up to the standards they set on Teenage Nation (1988), Goo (1990), Dirty (1992), or Experimental Jet Set, Trash & No Star (1994), it nonetheless comes close, which is saying alot, considering the forementioned albums rank among the greatest ever released.…Expand
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 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
