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Murray Street
by
Murray Street Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

  • Summary: Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts &Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers,' is now a full-fledged member of the group.… Collapse

Top Track

Disconnection Notice
did you get yr disconnection notice? mine came in the mail today they seem to think i'm disconnecte don't think i know what to read or write or... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Sonic Youth find a balance--between formlessness and structure, melody and cacophony--that's eluded them for a while. [28 Jun 2002, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The Wire
    90
    Sonic Youth have made a joyful return to their No Wave hardcore rock roots with a vibrating set of muscular songs which glide effortlessly from Gooey power pop to full on guitarmageddon meltdown, skulled out psychedelia and beyond. [#220, p.53]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    Murray Street achieves that rare thing for any band - real consistency.
  4. CultureDose.net
    80
    For the first time in their careers, Sonic Youth are willing to stand for something and give it to you, no frills. No more hiding behind black shades and pretending you're Lou Reed, no more “let's try to make the scariest noises possible from our guitars” sessions, no more poses. Sonic Youth have grown up.
  5. The A.V. Club
    80
    Murray Street doesn't mark an epochal moment for Sonic Youth, but its familiar nods and new ingredients--from Steve Shelley's occasionally near-funky drumming to O'Rourke's tingly laptop textures--stake out another high point for a band achieving self-realization by reconciling self-absorption with a sigh and a smile.
  6. Spin
    80
    This time around, the band square their artier tendencies with their sweet tooth for classic psych-rock. [Aug 2002, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Village Voice
    50
    The new album isn't terrible, just dull.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. BrockG
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Modern masterpiece.
  2. CaesarM.
    Sep 7, 2002
    10
    Best album since Dirty.
  4. murph
    Jun 28, 2002
    10
    the only band that matters
  5. JonathanH
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    Brilliant, another masterpiece by Sonic Youth
  6. PatrikS.
    Oct 16, 2002
    9
    The Gods have spoken.
  7. jimr
    Apr 7, 2003
    9
    at first, no i didnt get it. didnt match up to evol, sister, daydream nation or confusion is sex...then on the right day, maybe 4th at first, no i didnt get it. didnt match up to evol, sister, daydream nation or confusion is sex...then on the right day, maybe 4th listen...i got it--its beauty can ravage you.… Expand
  8. Andremax
    Sep 11, 2018
    8
    Maybe Sonic Youth can be a noisy band. But they make a very conscious and well-calculated noise. Murray Street reflects it. Not only noise,Maybe Sonic Youth can be a noisy band. But they make a very conscious and well-calculated noise. Murray Street reflects it. Not only noise, but among with fingering open-chords, creates a tripping guitar's layer, adding the fact that are three guitars, has a power even relieving anxiety. Compositions are good too, Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon owe nothing to anyone as a composers. This album resumes, in modern era, the band's way of composing, it could be compared even with band's classic albums.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2002
91
#91 Most Discussed Album of 2002
78
#78 Most Shared Album of 2002

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