User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 57 out of 60
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Mixed: 2 out of 60
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Negative: 1 out of 60
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Nov 14, 2013I don't expect from Sonics repeating any of their hits like Daydream Nation or Washing Machine on this album. This all has been said and shut. This is just a compilation of really well-crafted *songs* (pretty much an innovation in Sonic Youth's music) with their old spice.
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Jan 28, 2012Rather ripped is a beautiful album that can still pack a punch. Every song is very beautiful and Incinerate could be the song of the decade. Sonic Youth is one of the only bands that can be thirty years old, but still have more life then most bands debut albums.
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Sep 9, 2011For 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
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JoeMay 24, 2009Hm, 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.
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MikeCJan 26, 2008This album made me very happy. Personally, I think it's their best since Washing Machine, even though I enjoy pretty much everything they put out. They continue to be the band everyone wishes they were in. IMHO, You can't get any cooler than Sonic Youth.
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DavidH.Oct 18, 2007
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AlexCApr 10, 2007I hate how critics always have to compare everything. I think comparing "Rather Ripped" to "Daydream Nation" is stupid. "Rather Ripped" is simply an excellent record, no need to compare Sonic Youth to themselves. How about instead compare "Rather Ripped" to other bands today.
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JohnOJan 11, 2007Yes! been waiting for SY to release an album like this for a while. Its well up there with Goo, Daydream & Dirty. Go find it people.
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ReubenFDec 18, 2006While 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.
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djmDec 14, 2006Yes, Sonic Youth is still good. I am giving this only an 8 because it is obviously not in the upper-ech of Daydream and Dirty, and I think that there are a couple of missteps (ie Rapture) that put it below Nurse and Murray. So it's about as good as Leaves. So yes, any other band this is a 9, but solely for differentiating between SY albums, it's an 8.
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StevenGSep 15, 2006Yet another fantastic album by Sonic Youth! Whether you are a long-time fan, or just getting into their music, this is an essential album from one of the world's most tireless and important bands.
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xavirJul 21, 2006The 1st half is amazingly straight, austere and simple. Unexpectedly, the V.U. appears on "Rapture", Ramones' basis and Blondie's melody on "Waste"; Thurston sings beautifully on "Incinerate": They sound free, as if they don't have to prove anything. On the 2nd part they honor themselves (sounds from Mote, Sweet shine, Rain on tin or Stones are here). Another great album.
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DanFJul 14, 2006
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kenJul 14, 2006
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MatthewBJul 5, 2006Rather Ripped is amazing. I saw them live last week and they played the entire album, minus "Sleeping Around." Whoa. Sounded AWESOME. Spin really is grasping at straws these days, isn't it? I wonder what genius reviewer they hired who thinks giving a universally-praised Sonic Youth album a bad review would make them seem "relevant"?
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jyotirmayadJul 4, 2006It's a pleasant album, but it falls flat in places where it should soar.
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ilichdJul 4, 2006sonic youth es una de las mejores bandas de todos los tiempos y este disco no hace más que engrosar su rica discografia que ya data de hace 25 años.
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C.R.Jun 29, 2006Spin is pathetic. Nobody reads that mag anymore and they're trying to draw attention by giving this album a bad review because: 1. They're a bunch of old dudes who will never be able to relive their Sonic Youth early days. 2. They're too busy giving great reviews to the likes of Britney and boy bands.
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RodolfoSJun 27, 2006El mejor disco de Sonic Youth en lo que va de la decada
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gregorJun 26, 2006testing at first, but all in all, awesome to the highest extent, sonic youth have found a new way to create music.
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CaptainWackyJun 25, 2006Sonic Youth's ass has aged like fine wine. Compare and contrast: Frank Black's new album.
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MattD.Jun 21, 2006It's rockin' Sonic Youth. Sometimes a bit like older R.E.M. I'm an open-minded listener, and the user review that said Scott Walker shouldn't be listened to by me is just plain wrong - I just don't like Scott Walker. Sonic Youth's Rather Ripped is much better if you want solid alternative that's not bad art.
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J.R.Jun 20, 2006Another 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.
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spenceJun 16, 2006I'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.
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NickKJun 15, 2006It's SO satisfying to know that an old faithful like Sonic Youth is still capable of pure genius. This album, their 20th, is the definition of persistence. And DAMN is it a lesson well delivered! What a great surprise.... Thanks a lot.
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nickwJun 15, 2006very strong considering that i'm still partial to the psychedelia of 'nurse'. however, it is a small step up in terms of overall album quality--and i'm always happy if they do anything other than what could be comparable to the drudgery of thier late nineties work: 'leaves' and 'nyc ghosts'--arty, but slow and lifeless.
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BryanJun 14, 2006
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sebastianjoykillJun 14, 2006
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kellyw.Jun 13, 2006A workmate of mine used to fantasize about the possibility of Michael Stipe writting lyrics for Sonic Youth (and S.Y. writting the music for R.E.M.). Every Sonic Youth album I hear in my adult years I yearn for the same scenario. "Which comes first...the music or the words?"
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JoJun 13, 2006Not as good as Murry Street, slightly better than Sonic Nurse... Goes often back to the Daydream Nation era, but a lot poppier... Love songs like Reena, Sleeping Around (= vintage Sonic Youth, Dirty-era) and The Neutral... definitely not their best but overall another very good effort by one of the best bands still around
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DanMJun 12, 2006Rather Ripped comes off like a less dynamic version of Murray St & Sonic Nurse. I agree with Pitchfork that it is a grower of an album, and look forward to its long-term viability. Lots of Kim's songs. Pretty good overall.
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Awards & Rankings
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It seems to complete a circle, to contain something of everything the band has attempted over the years.
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It's the arresting delicacy of the quieter, dreamier tunes that'll really rip up your emotions.
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BlenderTheir songiest record in more than a decade. [Jun 2006, p.145]