Sonic Nurse
by Sonic Youth
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2004
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Sonic Nurse neither disappoints nor surpasses expectations.
  2. Alternative Press
    60
    Sonic Nurse is better than 90 percent of new rock, but with younger combos like Lightning Bolt and Liars stealing their thunder, these well-meaning vets come off as old and in the way. [Jul 2004, p.134]
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  3. Magnet
    60
    A better-than-average Sonic Youth album. [#64, p.106]
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  5. The Guardian
    60
    Lacks the standout tracks of its predecessors.
  6. The Wire
    60
    The emphasis this time around is on poppier melodies, but for all its attention to song form, Sonic Nurse feels more like a collection of exercises than a cohesive album. [#244, p.63]
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  7. Mojo
    60
    Sonic Nurse is not... a classic rock record. And it's not a classic Sonic Youth record. It's an excursion, into corners weird and corners familiar. [Jun 2004, p.100]
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  8. Splendid
    40
    A fairly average jaunt into familiar indie rock territory.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed Album of 2004
29
#29 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 45
  3. Negative: 2 out of 45
  1. hydrawithears
    Nov 19, 2011
    8
    Sonic Nurse (awesome title) is the 13th LP by the alternative rock kingpins, Sonic Youth. If you have never heard of them, you know **** aboutSonic Nurse (awesome title) is the 13th LP by the alternative rock kingpins, Sonic Youth. If you have never heard of them, you know **** about rock and youâ… Full Review »
  2. djm
    Dec 14, 2006
    9
    The only thing preventing a 10 is that not all of the tracks are up to the high standard of standouts such as Pattern Recognition and Unmade The only thing preventing a 10 is that not all of the tracks are up to the high standard of standouts such as Pattern Recognition and Unmade Bed, namely Kim's songs about Mariah Carey and Dude Ranch Nurse. They're only good if you are in the mood for them. This cd, to me, is among SY's very best.… Full Review »
  3. SeamusS
    Mar 27, 2006
    10
    A surprisingly beautiful record. There's something in here that you'll find in the best of Sonic Youth's album. That something A surprisingly beautiful record. There's something in here that you'll find in the best of Sonic Youth's album. That something is their ability to make something sound beautiful and remain dangerous, never straining their sound or sounding like they're trying to hard. This ranks amongst their best.… Full Review »
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