The Eternal
by Sonic Youth
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2009
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 78
  3. Negative: 17 out of 78

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  1. AmandaR.
    Jun 10, 2009
    2
    The Eternal has its moments, but not so effective as "Rather Ripped". More of the same, no challenge here.
  2. SeanS.
    Jun 10, 2009
    0
    Totally disappointed with The Eternal, nothing new and sounds awful.
  3. JannyB.
    Jun 10, 2009
    3
    Uninspired album for a great band.
  4. RobertG.
    Jun 9, 2009
    2
    Unfortunately Sonic Youth fail making a good new record, it's a shame for a band with so many classics.
  5. MandyG.
    Jun 11, 2009
    1
    Their worst album since NYC Flowers, it's a shame.
  6. BrunoR.
    Jun 9, 2009
    1
    Their worst album yet, i'm so disappointed.
  7. MarkJ.
    Jun 11, 2009
    1
    Only two tracks are good Antena and Malibu Gas Station the rest is crap.
  8. RobertH.
    Jun 11, 2009
    0
    The Eternal is inconsistent, empty and boring, nothing good here.
  9. PhilK.
    Jun 12, 2009
    0
    I don't know why critics are haling this album so much. Awful and dumb tracks and lyrics, Rather Ripped is much better then The Eternal.
  10. MarciaC.
    Jun 13, 2009
    0
    Horrible Album! Worst album from Sonic Youth. Rather Ripped was the best!
  11. BrunoN.
    Jun 16, 2009
    0
    This is crap thing!
  12. MarcelR.
    Jun 28, 2009
    0
    Rather Ripped was better this is bad.
  13. FabioM.
    Jun 9, 2009
    0
    Awful album and totally boring, It's a shame that's not so good like Rather Ripped.
  14. CarolinaB.
    Jun 11, 2009
    3
    The worst SY album ever, I'm really disappointed.
  15. PatrickB.
    Jun 12, 2009
    0
    This is worst than NY Flowers!

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Filter
    72
    All the things you love about Sonic Youth are here, just a little fewer and further between than you'd like. [Spring 2009, p.93]
  2. Uncut
    60
    Good, but the exciting notion of a genuine career left turn feels increasingly unlikely.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The Eternal offers a sort of survey course in SY history, careering from their early art-school atonality to the more melodically sophisticated compositions of later years. The problem is, none of it looks forward; in spelunking through the past, the band seems to have forgotten to unearth anything new.
    Read full review
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