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Friday, July 17, 2009

Love Today in Pre-Capitol-Hill-Block-Party Sonic Youth Worship

Posted by David Schmader on Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 11:28 AM

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The day before yesterday, Dave Segal commenced what I am determined to stretch into a week-and-a-half-long festival of worship for Sonic Youth in advance of the band's show next weekend at the Capitol Hill Block Party.

Truly, if Sonic Youth isn't the greatest rock band America's ever produced, I dare you to tell me who is. (Anyone mentioning the Band, CCR, or REM—all bands I love—gets kicked in the nostalgia-ridden, folk-rock nuts.)

Dave's opening volley in the Sonic Youth worship-fest was a friendly presentation of his favorite SY songs followed by an invitation for Line Out readers to share their own. It was wonderful, with my favorite revelations being the wealth of love for Goo's "Mote" and Sonic Nurse.

Now it's time to get serious, with percentages.

What is your favorite Sonic Youth album?

As you'll see, I opted for "your favorite" over "the greatest" or "the best" because with Sonic Youth such judgments are paralyzing, requiring consideration of innovation, cultural impact, where the record fit in the music of the era, etc. But to determine your favorite, you only need to listen to your heart.

(Also, I am almost certain I can predict what will be the top two titles on the poll. Numbers 3-5 are what I'm curious about...)

Comments (8) RSS

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Sister, with Bad Moon Rising a very close second.

Posted by Dave Segal on July 17, 2009 at 12:36 PM

For me...it is all about GOO.

Posted by slaggy

on July 17, 2009 at 12:56 PM

FACT: Voting for anything other than "Sister" causes HIV.

Posted by Jeff on July 17, 2009 at 1:26 PM

Where are the SYR releases?

Posted by levide on July 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM

Experimental Jet Set was the first album of theirs I owned. So, while it's (correctly) considered to be the second crummiest album in the SY canon, I have an appreciation for it, regardless.

Posted by J. Burns on July 17, 2009 at 2:55 PM

I was absolutely certain Sister and Daydream Nation would dominate. Instead it's Daydream Nation and...Dirty?!?

Awesome, I love surprises (and Dirty).

Posted by David Schmader on July 17, 2009 at 3:52 PM

@4
Collecting dust in massive stacks in Kim & Thurston's basement. I kid...

My guess is they weren't included because they often contain guest performers and in the case of 5, it was only Kim, DJ Olive, and Ikue Mori, so not really a "true" SY album. Just a theory.

Posted by Dave Segal on July 17, 2009 at 5:22 PM

I'm an EVOL guy, so g-damn good. @ J. Burns, Experimental Jet Set Trash & No Star I still like (though even calling it "spotty" is generous). Starfield Road is a jam.

Posted by corey j brewer