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. xtal
    Aug 20, 2013
    9
    Pitchfork can keep their 6.8 and 2009 obsession with the glo-fi fad; this ranks (and rocks) just as well as any of SY's excellent 2000s albums and their late 80s triptych. It will likely remain underrated for years to come because it lacks some of the hazy production techniques of their three prior albums; especially the tuneful (and excellent in its own right) Rather Ripped.
  2. FelipeRS
    Mar 11, 2010
    9
    Perfect.
  3. FelipeRS
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    Perfect.
  4. RishiG.
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    It continues the renaissance of Sonic Youth in this decade and builds on it. Their most consistent record since the glory days.
  5. AlbertoP.
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    Super!
  6. MarcelR.
    Jun 28, 2009
    0
    Rather Ripped was better this is bad.
  7. ScottG.
    Jun 25, 2009
    10
    Inventive summation of the past; creativity that has evolved over the past three decades; excellent hard edged sound in an era where quality rock albums are few and far between.
  8. Davidf
    Jun 17, 2009
    7
    Breaks no new ground, not as good as 'Rather Ripped.' Enjoyable just the same.
  9. SönkeF.
    Jun 17, 2009
    9
    Absolutely brilliant.
  10. BrunoN.
    Jun 16, 2009
    0
    This is crap thing!
  11. nedp.
    Jun 15, 2009
    10
    This is without a doubt their best release since Daydream Nation.
  12. MarciaC.
    Jun 13, 2009
    0
    Horrible Album! Worst album from Sonic Youth. Rather Ripped was the best!
  13. aarchtitect
    Jun 12, 2009
    9
    Their most cohesive album since Washing Machine. The Gordons haven't lost a step or missed a beat despite of--or because of--their domestic bliss. You still need your ear plugs to hear them properly. I'm most impressed with Steve Shelley's driving tribal beats.
  14. PatrickB.
    Jun 12, 2009
    0
    This is worst than NY Flowers!
  15. 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.
  16. RobertH.
    Jun 11, 2009
    0
    The Eternal is inconsistent, empty and boring, nothing good here.
  17. DaughterP.
    Jun 11, 2009
    9
    Big improvement from Rather Ripped. the addition of Mark Ibold brings some of his traditional indie rock style and influence to SY's experiments.
  18. CarolinaB.
    Jun 11, 2009
    3
    The worst SY album ever, I'm really disappointed.
  19. E
    Jun 11, 2009
    9
    This is not, on first two listenings, a perfect classic SY album akin to Daydream, Sister, EVOL, Dirty, Goo, or Murray Street. It is however, as good as excellent albums such as Nurse, Washing Machine, Rather Ripped, and A Thousand Leaves, and stronger than Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star, and far superior to NYC Ghosts and Flowers. It is a meaty representation of many of the This is not, on first two listenings, a perfect classic SY album akin to Daydream, Sister, EVOL, Dirty, Goo, or Murray Street. It is however, as good as excellent albums such as Nurse, Washing Machine, Rather Ripped, and A Thousand Leaves, and stronger than Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star, and far superior to NYC Ghosts and Flowers. It is a meaty representation of many of the band's evolved and codified strengths, with a few welcome nods to their distant past in texture. There are moments that vividly recall EVOL, while at the same time the album represents SY in the present with succinct yet expansive conviction. It is true that there may not be many (or any) new tricks on this release, or left turns, for a band that used to be known for left turns. In some ways, a Sonic Youth album is now as predictable as stronger latter Ramones albums were, or dare I say a good AC/DC disc - we know what we love about the band, we expect it, we want it...so we get it. It isn't formula alone, because there is still so much vitality in the performances (always), and the songwriting (from time to time.) No one does noise guitar with as much beauty as they do. And Steve Shelley is a slamming drummer... I like it more than Rather Ripped actually....quite a bit more. A fine album by a great rock band.… Expand
  20. MarkJ.
    Jun 11, 2009
    1
    Only two tracks are good Antena and Malibu Gas Station the rest is crap.
  21. MandyG.
    Jun 11, 2009
    1
    Their worst album since NYC Flowers, it's a shame.
  22. SeanS.
    Jun 10, 2009
    0
    Totally disappointed with The Eternal, nothing new and sounds awful.
  23. JamesB.
    Jun 10, 2009
    10
    From start to finish, the most listenable album since Daydream. Not better, but at times just as good. Matured but still no one can touch the intensity and focused nature of SY. An incredible accomplishment thirty years down the road.
  24. AmandaR.
    Jun 10, 2009
    2
    The Eternal has its moments, but not so effective as "Rather Ripped". More of the same, no challenge here.
  25. Gregor
    Jun 10, 2009
    8
    Great record, don't know why some people thinks this sucks, they rock on this.
  26. JannyB.
    Jun 10, 2009
    3
    Uninspired album for a great band.
  27. FabioM.
    Jun 9, 2009
    0
    Awful album and totally boring, It's a shame that's not so good like Rather Ripped.
  28. AlanS.
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    This is a terrific album...so much complexity and aural reward for multiple listens. They keep getting better with age!
  29. 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.
  30. JackAn.
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    Fantastic!
  31. BrunoR.
    Jun 9, 2009
    1
    Their worst album yet, i'm so disappointed.

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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