Sister

Quite honestly, an 80s rock album that sounds like a 90s grunge album. A bit ahead of its time. If you enjoy that stuff, it’s recommended. Not really my cup of tea though. Low 3.

Some songs are good and fast. Some are just kind of messy.

I imagine this would have made an outstanding live experience, and the record definitely embodies a genre of experimental punk which is unique… I would hazard a guess that the band wanted to make an album which felt disjointed, chaotic, and challenging, and as artists they have definitely succeeded; as a listener, however, the challenge can be altogether too much to actually make it an enjoyable experience.

didn’t amaze me, schizophrenia is a good song, it was good overall

Pretty good!

This sounded exactly as I expected it to based on my 30 year old preconceptions. A lot of music can be calming. Some music provides a release. This music is intended to cause tension and anxiety. It edges. It does not resolve. Which makes it difficult. Influential? Perhaps. Not for me.

The usual off kilter detached cool mush, didn’t stand out for me

Was pretty decent. Had some dips, but the highs were much more frequent. 3.5/5

Probably the SY album that I enjoyed the most. Still got a headache at the half of it.

Revisit later. Hardest choice between 3 and 4 yet

"It's just noise" -Juno

my wife was glad when it was over. I thought it was okay. A little grating.

Some of the music and instrumentals were cool but some songs were a little too experimental for my taste.

3-

A bit cacophonic.

Ansi pönkað alt-rokk, hæfilegt fuck you attitjúd. Fíla þetta.

Only a little guitar distortion

I’ve heard of Sonic Youth but don’t think I’ve ever listened to any of their songs. Few places that were a bit like noise but overall very cohesive. I enjoyed, would listen again but may not seek it out.

Fine, but not for me.

Sister is the fourth album by American alternative rock band Sonic Youth. The band tempered their crazy-sounding no wave rock music from the first few albums to create a masterpiece of noise pop that still had enough rock 'n roll for the young people. The album has been critically acclaimed, but it was not successful until years after release, which means it also never charted well or was certified for high sale amounts. It is now regarded as one of the best albums of the 80's. This was an interesting, noisy pop rock album that held my attention throughout. It featured some beautiful melodies along with moments of rabid rock that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Awesome album! Fans of punk or any alternative rock will enjoy this album.

Not my thing

I’ve tried to get into Sonic Youth many times in the past, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I like the idea of Sonic Youth more than I actually like Sonic Youth. It’s very clear they were highly influential, wrote great music, and created a totally different sound. And while I find myself appreciating it, I don’t particularly enjoy it.

feels like tumblr in 2013

In many ways, Sonic Youth remain ahead of their time; at least, they never seemed interested in waiting around for fans or critics to catch up. They’re mavericks in the sense that they create their own zeitgeist and they’ve spun it across the ‘80s, the ‘90s and beyond like a noisy cyclone. “Sister” was made before Grunge was “born” and well after Punk was dead, so maybe that accounts for why it sounds so heavy, so off-kilter, so sloppy, so interesting. Take “Stereo Sanctity,” with its alternate tuning, twin guitar attack and pummeling drums that embraces a modernized Velvet Underground sensibility, except lurking in the background is a super catchy, twangy surf guitar riff. That’s Sonic Youth for you—walls of weirdness shot through with knowing winks and nods to what makes Rock n Roll such compelling music. It’s difficult to say whether this record hints at Sonic Youth’s more focused greatness to come, starting with “Daydream Nation,” released just a year later (though they also released a couple of noisy/artsy/indie/less-accessible records in between, including a jokey covers record as Ciccone Youth, but only super fans will care about those). “Sister” is a compass needle pointing in more than one direction, because in the Sonic Youth universe, there’s no true north, only an urge to keep moving and to explore possibilities. The standout track and album opener, “Schizophrenia,” says it all: “She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin/And she was laughing like crazy, at the trouble I’m in.” Defying convention isn’t exactly the same as getting into trouble, but even the casual listener can tell Sonic Youth are up to something. That “something” has turned out to be a unique musical career and an enduring, influential legacy.

Experiments in sound. Not exactly catchy, but damn it's got so many layers and textures. Like a well crafted sandwich with weird shit on it

not bad but not my favorite!

Some cool stuff, nothing really stood out. I’ve developed an appreciation for sonic youth via this challenge though

I did enjoy this mostly, but daydream nation is streets ahead imo Still pretty distinctive stylistically, but that sound isn't quite there yet I don't think. Still like the contrast of having both a female and male vocalist. Thought the first half was better than the second

5th Sonic Youth album? You can’t be serious. As for the album itself: a bit annoying, rather benign, uninspiring. You know, a Sonic Youth album. When they grow up they'd like to be a Nirvana.

Very influential but somehow seemed to pass me by. Listening now it's pretty good but having listened to a few of their albums now they can get pretty samey. Considering this is 1987 and comparing it to a lot of late 70's New Wave it's not really that innovative either. Going to go with a safe 3*

Nice shoe gazing albumerino

solid sonic youth

Interesting bits, and some less so, but overall a decent album

Kinda lost me in the end

I can't pick out any individual song, but enjoyed the album as a whole listening experience.

could i write poetry to this? y (and i have)

Solid. Solid. Sonic Youth

Like all Sonic Youth albums, this one starts out amazingly headstrong before descending into just a bit too much chaos to break through to four stars. I love this band's sound, instrumentation, and wryly dour yet witty lyricism, but not a single album has escaped the noodle zone. All for chaotic instrumentals, but even I have a limit for how much discordant guitar scratching I can take before the plot is lost.

im not sonic youths biggest fan but i enjoy some of their songs this album is pretty solid last song was fucked though lol

I was here for the vibes on sonic youth. But none of the songs really grabbed me. Love the albums after this though

Dug it but not my thing normally

I didn't recognize anybof the songs off the album, I've only previously head Sonic Youth songs from the early to mid 90s, this didn't sound much like them. This is sited by many grunge acts as being an influential album for them, I can hear it in the indistinguishable lyrics, the heavy distortion and dissonance in the guitars, it's all there, but not quite bit together. I didn't really enjoy it, but I like where it was going

It's got that experimental vibe, but it's kind of, tame? Not that that makes it bad, but if they were going for the wild and different, why wouldn't you really go for it? I guess this was one of "the first great American albums to come from the underground". So I'll cut it some slack, but it just doesn't do enough for me. The guitar work is top notch. The back half of the album is much better than the first half, in my opinion.

Cool album

Like

I don't think this was as good as Teenage Nation but it's still Sonic Youth which means it's at least decent. Sounds like this was kind of a precursor to that album and is somewhat transitional between sounds. I liked hotwire my heart and schizophrenia while the rest kinda blended together but not in the same way that most albums like this normally do. It has enough of a melodic sound on stuff like schizo to keep the more hardcore no wave stuff from becoming grating. It's the second best album with a naked baby on the cover that I've heard. Looking back at my old sonic youth reviews, i really was not that kind even though somewhere along the way I really started enjoying their music. Maybe I just listened to teenage riot too many times but their sound is anything but standard.

Nice songwriting

oki nice

Great guitar sounds. A worthwhile listen. 3.5 stars.

Noisy, explosive, dynamic and full of energy.

cool, I dont think I gave the lyrics the attention they deserved but vibid nonetheless

It was pretty good, short but gave nice vibes

There's some, but not many Sonic Youths left in the list, and I might need someone to explain what's the big deal they bring to the table, because I do really like what I've heard from them so far, but I know people who are *enthusiastic* about them in a way I can't access

I bet Kim Gordon sings in that way that she always does. It's breathy. Gets real breathy. Repeat the cadence. Same cadence. But go faster. Repeat it faster. Say it faster, say it over! Oh yeah, and let's maybe have like an extra 15 seconds of feedback at the end of our songs. That's a good idea and doesn't waste anyone's time.

Full disclosure: Sonic Youth's Goo album was on heavy rotation for me in my teens, so this was like visiting an old friend. The familiar guitar distortions, Kim's husky voice (although I wish there was more of that in this album) felt like a trip down memory lane. It's definitely not my favourite Sonic Youth album (duh), but it was fun to listen through.

Early indie! Cool to hear a part of history. They were definitely trying new things. +1 for that. Not something I'd ever put on though

Experimentation CAN mean good. It can even mean great! And I want this album to be that so bad. But it just never reaches that peak I need it to. SY teeters on valuing experimentation over writing good songs here, and again, it's tiring. I know I said that about EVOL as well. I like this band, and I want to like them a lot more. They were doing things in the 80s that no one else dared to; that's commendable. It's like, yes, if you slide your guitar pick down the strings through a fuzz pedal, it makes a fun sound. I completely understand. I like doing that too! That said, the influence this album leaves earns it higher stars from me. Also Kim Gordon.

Jangly, unusual, typical Sonic Youth.

Slaps

Some of this was decent, good grooves and band sounds tight, but a lot of it is just chaotic noise and I guess that's the point but it didn't work for me.

This came out during my high school years but I was not into it at the time. Sounds like Achtung Baby without the catchy hooks. The U2 boys must have listened to this as inspiration. Interesting sounds. Lyrics hard to follow. Probably better with more listens. It is good, but it is great? Hard to give it 4-stars. I'm going with 3.25

Pretty good noise rock. I know Daydream Nation is supposed to be their opus but am not familiar with much of their work. Good stuff but nothing reached out and grabbed me.

Not my favorite Sonic Youth album, a bit indistinct in its noisiness. But they were super influential and innovative for 1987, leading into the 90s grunge.

Som diferente, meio barulhento em alguns

Every time I listen to Sonic Youth I want to like it more than I end up doing, and this is no exception. It's definitely good for what it is but not my taste.

One of those bands whose critical acclaim exceeds my enjoyment of their work. I like the more mainstream sounding stuff much better than the "experimental, edgy" songs that critics seem to always love. Some good fuzzy guitars though and sharp lyrics.

A little better than the other 2, still dont get it. Also dont know why they are on here 3 times

Sure okay nice jams 3.5/5

More of the same from these guys. Music to BBQ by.

7/10

Started out very strong, but slowly turned into rough, ragged sounds that's not too appealing.

I liked Goo better, but this wasn’t bad

I prefer their stuff that came right after this but you can really hear the template for it here, and the transition from their earlier material. Definitely a solid album.

Another Sonic Youth album my 2nd so far, I enjoyed this more than Dirty, but similarly not vibing with them just yet. Maybe another listen of this would help but I'm just not sure. Though I can overall start to understand and see why they are revered and so influential in the industry.

Beauty within the noise.

I enjoyed “Goo” better.

This Sonic Youth album is less poo than Goo.

Goed niets speciaal tho

Not bad.

3.5 I’ve generally liked everything I’ve heard by Sonic Youth, and I maintain that opinion after listening to this album. It starts incredibly strong with Schizophrenia, a tune that I immediately had to turn my speaker’s volume up like two notches on because the riff is that good - I found myself bobbing around to it in the kitchen while I was making my lunch. Unfortunately, the rest of the album just kind of slowly devolves from there. While Catholic Block was another enjoyable track, it was a slight step down from the opener, with Beauty Lies in the Eye following suit, and so on and so on until you’re just kind of listening to a bunch of noise at the end. But you know what? That noise is my kind of noise, dammit. It probably kept this album out of the 4 territory for me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. This is the exact kind of classic unadulterated alternative rock shit I like - the kind that unites outsiders, never feels compelled to be a masterpiece, and just like Pixies, is the blueprint for what would eventually become Nirvana.

Ok sound. Seemed samey

Highlights: "Schizophrenia," "Catholic Block," "Pacific Coast Highway," "White Cross" As the band's alleged breakthrough album, you can hear its sense of harmony past grunge and artists like Beck into 21st-century acts like Deerhoof, Battles, and Women. But it's still starved for satisfying melody, and I can't honestly say it's a clean break from New Wave tropes into something else -- more a development from Evol by way of exaggeration. As far as highly influential bands go, this might be one where "you had to be there," because looking back through its influences the flaws seem to stick out most. Sonic Youth may be exceptional as the most influential band without a truly great album -- or without even one truly great song.

Compared to the Sonic Youth I've heard, this was more straightforward songwriting from them so I liked this more as a result. What was most interesting about the album as a whole was the dissonance of the entire thing. There was a lot of noise rock elements still here, but it was really an album that also felt very full of despair, somewhat in the lyrics (and the tons of sexual themed lyrics which was unexpected), but very much so in just how each song sounded. I did enjoy some of the songs, like Schizophrenia and Beauty Lies In The Eye.

Sonic Youth remain to be a bit too experimental for me, I don't care for it, it doesn't add anything to their appeal

I have mixed feelings about Sonic Youth. I know they're an important indie experimental rock band that are in the same camp as a ton of my favorite 80s and 90s bands but I've never been super into their albums as a whole. There's just a little too much noise and not enough well written songs in my opinion. The songs of theirs that I love, I really love, but I could probably skip about 80% of their songs on any given record. I think I just value songwriting a bit more and don't get enough of that from them. Standout Tracks: Schizophrenia, Tuff Gnarl, Cotton Crown

I enjoyed the chaotic punk vibe here, but none of the songs ever evolved into anything cohesive or meaningful.

notwithstanding the fact sy are the most egregiously overrated band in an overrated genre, this album is less shitty than most of theirs

Sister uses what should be the ideal Thurston-Kim connection, per-song. And it's good. And the noise is heavy and varied. By the end of the record it all feels a bit one-note, though; Maybe the concept is buried for this brain.

Ok, I had this down as a 3 but on second listen, particularly side two, you can hear the tunes emerging from the noise. There'd be a bit of arsing around (ciccone youth etc) and next time out would be Daydream Nation and lift off. Still a 3 but a 3.5.

The 4th (and not final!) Sonic Youth album. Like others it's fine. I don't think they needed five albums on here.

It was ok. I don’t know why I thought they were a hip hop troop but there were are.

Blanket of comfortable noise, yes.

I’ve always wanted to like this band and every now and then I do. But their experimental tendencies always challenge that feeling. I don’t know what it is. I can listen to Fugazi go off on a musical tangent all day long. But here those tangents run too far from the main plot. But hey, Thurston Moore was in a black metal band so that’s something!

I respect them more than I enjoy them

Again, another obvious influence of the sound of a lot of later grunge bands: Soundgarden, Nirvana... The vocals are... okay. I dig the rawness of them, but wish for a bit more melody. When the songs go off a little bit more noise experimentation, it loses me a little. I remember having one of the Sonic Youth albums when I was a teen, I think it was "Goo." It was so beyond me, I didn't understand it. But after a few decades and music history I understand what they were going for now. I guess I wasn't ready for it at the time. Still, there's only so much of that "wall of sound" effet you can take before you are like "Okay, so... what else is there?" It gets old kinda quickly. Just like the album did for me. Next.

I loved the first two songs Schizophrenia and Catholic Block - unique beats and guitar effects, which don't get too over the top. What makes them so good is there is an underlying rhythm that even the most experimental segments of the song tie back to. I think what I'm saying is there's melody even when at times there's madness. But then by the time I get to Stereo Sanctity and Pipeline / Kill Time it's getting to be a bit too spastic, abrasive, or off-kilter. Those songs are alright, but the page is turning on the album. Tuff Gnarl starts off okay but is too self-indulgent in being noisy. Hot Wire My Heart was a cover that we didn't need. White Kross was decent; brought back some melody. It's clear how these guys are a clear link between bands like the Stooges before them and the Pixies and both shoegaze and grunge movement that came after them. So I want to give them a higher rating for their pioneering ways. But there a band I just want greatest hits of, not full albums - because their style gets a bit tired listening to a full album.

Sonic rock from Sonic Youth.

Not as weird as some of their other records but still not that good either

Vond het wel goede muziek, maar geen uitblinker

Craptastic.

This album deserves more time than I gave it.

Usually I'm a sucker for bands that have multiple vocalists, especially if they're different genders, but this is just too hit and miss for me. Pick a sound and stick to it. Best track: Schizophrenia

Good album just not as good as Daydream Nation.

A-puoli on oikein hyvä, erityisesti kaks ekaa biisiä käynnistää niin hyvin, että innostuin. Sitten menee kikkailuksi mutta samalla tasapaksuksi, mikä vähän lannisti. Vai vaatiiko vain uusia kuunteluja (ja kikkailun sietämistä), että pääsee sisään?

Starts off great then disappears up its own arse

Most of it isn’t really too bad at all but doesn’t bring much memorable to the table either. A few are a bit too noisy for me though as well. 5/10

Cool

Don't quite know how to classify the genre of this album, but having not heard it, or Sonic Youth, before, I can say that I enjoyed listening to it.

It was okay, some noisy rock. A bit crazy, a bit unhinged, and I've definitely used those adjectives for a few albums now. This was borderline unlistenable on my car stereo, though that's more of a complaint about my shitty speakers than the songs. To be honest nothing really stood out to me that much, but there were some good riffs. It certainly sounds newer than 1987 and I have to commend it for that. Favourite: Pacific Coast Highway

It was fine. In context of the time maybe it would have been more interesting.

I continue to be Sonic Youth neutral

What if Rock music were kind of fuzzy?

Interesting and very sonic youthy.

Typical 90s blend if instruments and voice. Didn't feel anything innovative or outstanding

Freaky, I like it

A bit hard to get into at the beginning but overall great riffs and a fantastic ending. Best tracks: schizophrenia, cotton crown, tuff gnarl.

2.75/5

3.5

These guys use the coolest dissonant jagged chords. Solid album, listened to a bunch of times. Not something I'd normally think to put on, but good.

Feels unnecessarily discordant and knotty in places, and never quite returns to the very high standard of the opening cut, "Schizophrenia." Relentlessly tough and dark art rock, this is far from their best (or biggest) work.

Rock guitarrero, sucio, con reminiscencias de grunge. Un tanto plano, a pesar del ritmo y el estilo

I feel like I'm not quite cool enough to "get" Sonic Youth. I appreciate that they produce some interesting sounds and their innovative use of the guitar, but at the same time it sounds a bit like noise to me. This album is maybe a bit more accessible than other stuff I've heard from them. At best, some of their songs sound like PJ Harvey. 3 stars.

This is art. It was a first listen for me, I’m a fan of a few of their later albums which I think are an easier listen. Sister is what I expected, it’s a group of confident in who they are and what they are trying to create,testing musical boundaries to see what works, and it does work. It’s cool, in the way that more conservative music tastes would not think it should ever make it onto a record. It broadens the mind. I prefer their later stuff but this was enlightening.

yep, it's sonic youth. so much influence on music made since

Good but felt really short. Seemed it like was over right after I started. Listened to it again though.

Our second from Sonic Youth I believe. I like this one more than the first, but not by too much. Started out very strong with two tracks that immediately caught my ear, but it loosened its grip on me and didn't regain it. The rest of the album drifted by me unfortunately. But what I heard was still decent, so I can't knock it as much as my own attention span. The strength of those openers is enough that I would give this another chance. Favorite tracks: Schizophrenia, Catholic Block. Album art: I like this one a lot. It's a mini collage, almost a mood board kind of thing. Pictures of cities, cows, Saturn, and a naked baby. Guess Nirvana weren't the original sickos. 3/5

6/10. Liked this way better than goo or whatever it was called.

Pretty cool but also pretty tough to get through. 6/10

Pretty good, though my 5th Sonic Youth Album so I'm getting a bit tired of them!

I really like a lot of Sonic Youth's over albums but for some reason this one just doesn't work for me

Okay. Not a favorite.

för många sonic youth-album

Rough around the edges (in a good way), an enjoyable listen, although no real standout tracks.

EARLY Sonic Youth, there were a couple tracks I liked

C'est toujours intéressant de réécouter du Sonic Youth après les avoir connus à l'âge adultes avec les Sonics.

Je ne m'exprimerai plus sur le groupe Sonic Youth par peur d'être censuré.

Группа, которая опередила свое время и заложила основу для будущих инди-рок групп. Для своего времени однозначно заслуживающий внимания альбом. Stereo Sanctity и сейчас замечательно звучит. В остальном, время все же нанесло отпечаток и многие последователи значительно углубили идеи Sonic Youth. Рекомендую как веху истории развития инди. Как обязательное к прослушиванию в своей жизни если вы не поклонник жанра - скорее не рекомендую. 6 из 10.

5/10 Best Song - Catholic Block

I should have always liked Sonic Youth, they are right in the middle of everything I really enjoy. I never really got it though. Listening to this I suddenly understood why people keep telling me I'll love them. Maybe it's the timing but something clicked on this listen and I loved some of the tracks. There were others that were just too distorted for me, but overall I'm happy I finally 'get' the Sonic Youth thing.

Not bad

The first song sounds a little mellow for these guys but by the second song things were much more Sonic Youth like. Par for the course for these lads.

As this is our 4th Sonic Youth Album, I'm noticing that each has (for me) one epic track, one that I'll want to listen too when I'm on my bicycle trainer, one "Kool Thing". On this album the song that stands out for me is "Catholic Block" even though it seems to be "Schizophrenia" for the rest of the world. I like that one too. After that 1-2 punch, it's a pretty decent album. I'm getting a bit tired of the one minute extended endings, but I guess it's their (his) signature move.

A real cacophony of Art-noise here. But there’s no Teenage Riot, Dirty Boots or Kool Thing on this album to hang onto. Some of the experimental noodles are very interesting but this album doesn’t spark as much joy in me as some of their other albums such as Goo and Daydream Nation which I gave both 4s so this is a 3.

Not my favorite SY album, a quasi-thematic album that goes from okay to pretty darn good by the end. 3.5/5.

Pretty sweet. I don't think I've ever actually listened to Sonic Youth before but I'd check this our again.

I liked the other sonic youth album more; just had it yesterday. Maybe I was just in a different mood then lol. This one had much more screechy noise, too much, but was still good at parts.

This was a pretty canonical Sonic Youth album to me. A few with great hooks and a few experimental noise songs that I won't revisit. Honestly they're a band I feel I should like more, but have to wade through a lot of stuff before I can pick out my favorite tracks.

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Catholic block

Strong start; I liked this album less as it progressed. Musicality was sacrificed for distortion. 6/10.

Really like the instrumentation, not massive on the sort of spoken word bits. Fav tracks: Schizophrenia, pacific Coast highway

I like Sonic Youth's more tuneful stuff, so it's cool to hear this album where they start moving in that direction but still have one foot solidly in the world of noise and discordance.

Pretty good album. Didn't love it but nothing too bad. Seems like a band I'd like a lot more live than on their albums.

Mellow. Rainy day music

Not bad

Patchy. Some of it is excellent, whilst some of it is just noise, bordering on shoegaze. The good stuff I really like, the shoegazey stuff I really hate.

Not bad, worth a second listen at least

Not in the mood for this tonight but it's alright. I'm more a fan of later Sonic Youth.

Again, I think the author(s) has over-emphasized the importance of Sonic Youth since I'd never include this many of their albums. Ironically I have ended up liking Sonic Youth less as I've listened to more albums.

Comfortable loud noise

Sonic Youth is enigmatic for Mei should like them more than I do but something keeps me at arms length. I own this on only but this would be maybe only the 4th or 5th time I've listened to it. The first song Schizophrenia is a great start I like it a lot has a similar feel to Teenage Riot. But nowhere else do I get the same feeling. Could be it just requires more effort on my part... I'll keep you posted if things change. 3.5 🌟

Solid

Kuulosti Sonic Youthilta. Tätä kuunnellessa tuli mieleen, että tämähän kuulostaa vähän Slintin Spiderlandilta. Sitten tuli mieleen, että sanoinkohan samaa jostain muusta levystä. No sanoinhan minä; Sonic Youthin Goosta! Ehkä tästä eteenpäin voi sanoa, että jokin kuulostaa Sonic Youthilta. Mielestäni tämä levy ei ollut kuitenkaan yhtä hyvä kuin Goo, meni enemmän taustalla eikä saanut otteeseensa. Tälle siis vain perus kolmonen.

Enjoyable, when it's good it was great but the bad was awful

This album sounds almost experimental. Some of the music is compelling, but a fair amount of it is just noisy. I liked it well enough to listen to it again at some point, so it's not getting a 2-star poo-poo. However, it's a weak 3-star entry.

I went in expecting a 4 but 3 i guess? 3.5 in reality but I'm not feeling the bump up to 4.

I don't mind a bit of Sonic Youth, but they do put my nerves on edge.

my second sonic youth album! ooh this started out great. still don't like this dude's tone and vocal performance lol. tracks 3 and 4 were pretty great. at times this music is cool but never enjoyable lol as intended i guess. lyrics are cool too, especially the entirety of 'stereo sanctity' and 'pipeline/kill time' and "i'm wasted in time and you're never ready" in some other song. but i can't get into the vocals.

Didn't really do it for me

I don't really know what to say about this. It seems really progressive and special for its time.

enjoyed the first listening session, lyrics are the interesting part; melodies are mediocre

Better than I remember but still just kinda loud.

Not bad, but not that interesting to give it a 4.

Begon goed met nummers die ik beter bleek te kennen dan ik dacht, maar alles viel toch halverwege als een kaartenhuis in elkaar.

Niet de beste Sonic Youth plaat, maar nog altijd wel een aantal toffe nummers.

First few songs are really good. Devolves into noise a little by the end.

decent - same as the other sonic youth one i did. passes you by a bit but

Really enjoyed the album. Some good sounds

A pretty good Sonic Youth album, noisy as expected

Is it post punk or proto grunge?

Alright!

A haunting record with traces of noise rock, this has some great songs - and some I’d consider unlistenable, if not for the unique instrumentation. Definitely sticks with you though! STANDOUTS: -Schizophrenia -Stereo Sanctity -Pipeline / Kill Time -Hot Wire My Heart -Master-Dik

It may be bleak but this music is really getting to the crowd.

Now Sonic Youth's in my cooler!

I'm supposed to like this, but it didn't excite, didn't offend.

Old school grunge. Not bad

Me pasa como con Pixies, a ratos muy bien, a ratos no tanto. El sonido tan crudo quizá no es tan de mi agrado. Por otro lado tiene mucho punch, mucha energía y a ratos suena muy bien. 3.5 estrellas que baja.

Not my cup of tea but fun to listen to.

I like these beginning chord progressions. Although, the music is sort of drowning out the lyrics. This is another of those albums where I like some of the songs and find others a little annoying and/or a little too electric for my general taste.

Ok

decent alt noise - C

Made me kinda sad

Odd at times. Not bad

I actually didn't hate this album as much as I hated the other one. Sonic Youth is like Alice in Chains or like Nirvana. Just not as solid.

Has quite a bit of Joy Division, but not my favorite Sonic Youth record.

Ok.

its alright

first album...leskeddit 10/4/20

Ok.

Pretty solid album with some standouts but not enjoyable enough for 4.

Gritty - exactly what I imagine as indierock in the 90s. While i enjoyed it, there was no song that made me go "wow"

These guys are great live. Their studio sound doesn't really translate for me. This wasn't bad except for a lot of distortion, feedback, and other crap that was just noise. This didn't do much for me at all.

started nice then fell off

Ikke dette jeg trengte etter Norge-Senegal

Didn’t rate the music, the recording or the general feel. It was scratchy and abrasive in a surface level way and the instrumental elements weren’t good enough to outweigh the rubbishy vocals. Also shit lyrics.

Deadpan, spoken-word, or screechy delivery rather than "traditional" singing, which feels grating. They can set a atmosphere in a decent way but the package just seems off all the time. It then becomes a chore as I dont feel any of it and just want to get it done. This is just monotone depravity. Didnt help I was listening to The Cure before this and they manage this sound scape so much better! I am annoyed by my review / their album in a way as lots to like amongst this and frustrating I cant unlock it.

I really want to like Sonic Youth. They seem really cool and my sort of thing. But whenever I listen to them it’s just really annoying.

Passed me by. Not memorial.

2.5

My rating 2.4

Chill grunge from the late 80s, it’s fine, but not their greatest

This is the third Sonic Youth album we’ve listened to on Project 1001 and I still don’t see the attraction. This is not good music. The lyrics are simplistic and the music is complex (at times). They consistently work against one another. The use of distorted notes and chaos as a recipe for success brings failure from the jump. And the game ends on a called strike three.

I’m all for experimenting but this album proves that “you can’t get there from here.” It’s all a lot of oysters and no pearls.

Its just okay. I didnt hate it but will most likely never listen to it again.

I didn’t particularly care for this. Seemed a bit stuck between rock music and something more abstract.

Yep, that's noise rock alright. This was a hit or miss record for me. A couple of tracks were pretty good, but it starts to take a hard nosedive at the end of its run. Favourite Track(s): Tuff Gnarl Least Favourite Track(s): Pipeline/Kill Time

Two alternative albums in a row? Yes, please. However, I just could not get into this album. Bummer. I wanted to love it. I fear that it was just boring. A lot of my high school friends were huge sonic youth fans, I'll have to listen to some of their later stuff that was coming out closer to when I was in high school and see if I enjoy that more, and maybe I'll get the appeal.

"Pipeline/Kill Time" is pretty f*cked up!

It started off strong but the second half was pretty bad

1.75 - This feels like a band I should like, but I just don't.

An okay album, no stand out songs.

Well, I get how this could affected some people looking for somewhere to express their anger and individuality back in the day. I can see these guys being the "I listened to them before they were popular" pre-hipster hipster band. The wailing, disaffected vocals, off key chords, and just noise most of the time make this unenjoyable for me.

wowzaaaa

Sister feels like an album I respect more than I actually enjoy. Going in, I expected the usual wall of noise and abrasive experimentation I’ve always associated with Sonic Youth, but “Schizophrenia” surprised me right away with how approachable and hypnotic it was. Tracks like “Catholic Block” showed off the band’s strange, off-kilter style in a way that felt engaging instead of alienating, even if it sometimes came across like music made specifically for hardcore music nerds. As the album went on though, a lot of the songs started blending together for me. “Beauty Lies in the Eye” and “Stereo Sanctity” never really clicked, and by the middle stretch the repetition of the noisy guitar textures started wearing thin. I can recognize how influential this sound must have been for later grunge and punk bands, but without the historical context it’s harder to connect with emotionally. That said, there were still moments I really liked. “Hot Wire My Heart” had a raw punk energy that stood out immediately, while “Cotton Crown” slowed things down in a way that actually added depth to the album. In the end, Sister feels less like an album I love and more like one I’m still trying to understand. I can see why Sonic Youth became so important, I’m just not fully on their wavelength yet. 2 stars

Don't mind SY, have at least a couple of their albums around somewhere. It's just the list, this doesn't raise anything when it came up this morning, except oh SY again - it's the 3rd album by them to date, and guess what it's a fair melody, detuned guitars, sustained feedback, passable vocals that is pretty much a standard album by them. SY sounding very SY. But without any standout tracks like the other 2. So it's fine, a listen, it's the book editors, critic darlings band, arty label, cool to be seen to like, hence multiple albums of the same, maybe would have scored higher if had been 1st album by them on list, but wasn't and didn't in anyway sway my view of SY, good or bad. Exept as said no standout track, dot ball day, didn't need to hear will never hear again 2 Stars.

A lot of noise and not much else

Noisy and loose. Didn’t really appeal to me.

This album was not pleasant to listen to.

Honestly struggled to get through this one, its just kind of standard. I think I'd give this a 2.5 but I'm rounding down

i enjoyed as background music but not much else

If anyone says this is their favourite album, they’re pretentious and clearly lying.

I don’t hate it, but I don’t think the songs are that interesting or unique. My biggest gripe is that the mix sounds like garbage. It’s so muddy and unfocused. It’s what music sounds like in a dream, shapeless and repetitive.

Teenage me is glad they improved.

Very dissonant alt/noise rock. The first few songs were at least dissonant in interesting ways, but as the album progressed, it became more and more unpleasant to listen to. There are a few songs I'd revisit, but the rest of the album is not for me.

Sonic Youth is not for me clearly, as this is their other album I just could not get into despite liking *some* of the music. Oh well.

So I try to give my knee-jerk reaction in this lovely exercise, but I felt obligated to spend some time with this one. "Daydream Nation" was influential to me as a little dude, expanding my perception of what was possible within the boundaries of song and structure, but never really got intimate with the band's work. As a weathered old hardcore-punk faithful with delusions of possessing an attuned ear, I expected to step into this one and be entranced. Did I get dumber? Don't get me wrong, like a David Lynch film, I fully appreciate what's being done here, and the emotional atmosphere constructed is a propelling force. Do I think this is worth a listen, purely for science? Absolutely. But do I care? Shit... I guess not.

me encantan las guitarras, bastante oscuro, no es mi estilo but good

Pretty rough but ok for early in their career and the state of music in the 80s. Not nearly as good as Goo imo, which I saw 5 days ago!

More sonic youth?! I tolerated more than other albums of theirs, but still did not enjoy it. 2*

When I first hit play I thought “oh maybe I have misjudged Sonic Youth all these years.” No Noise

I'm a big fan of later Sonic Youth records but I'd never listened to this before today. It's not great. Mostly it sounds like typical late 70s / early 80s rock with a sprinkling of extra distortion and atonal weirdness. Sonic Youth have done much, much better work in my opinion.

not for me

I can appreciate where this stands in the history of music and the intent. But it doesn't make for an enjoyable listen.

This just didn’t really catch on with me, and wasn’t my jam. It had some interesting sounds, but for the most part it was a little bit too artsy or experimental-feeling for me to fully enjoy.

A friend made me borrow this in my 20s. I listened to it two or three times to make sure I gave it a fair shot. I am dreading the third or fourth, and probably final, listen today. I once saw Sonic Youth open for Pearl Jam and they were sincerely a top 5 worst band I've ever seen. A lot of this is Kim Gordon's fault. I hate her voice and her delivery and her lyrics, though i guess part of the latter could be Thurston's fault. He certainly isn't blameless. Catholic Block isn't "better" than Beauty Lies in the Eye, just differently bad. Some of this could be OK. Like, I like lots of the music this directly influenced. I'm not angry at the dischord of the music, though certainly there are moments that are just noise to me. It's not even dumb song names like Tuff Gnarl and Master-Dik, either of which could have been a Pavement or Pixies title. It's that Pacific Coast Highway is indelible in my head from those first listens as sounding like the definition of drug addiction, with Gordon moaning less angry than bored, atonal at best, tranqed animal at worst. Thurston tends to just bark meaningless words over his squonking. Kim is intentional in her unlistenability. If I had to hear one of these songs again, and I'd prefer not to, i'd probably go for Pipeline/Kill Time. 2*, but make no mistake, we are rounding up to get to 2.

When I think of Sonic Youth I think musical exploration over hooks and melody. This album is definitely in that vein. Well performed and conceptually cool, though not something I would go out of my way to listen to.

Expectation: -> 1987 and a recognizable name has me optimistic. After listening: -> This isn't my jam. No track stood out for me so I didn't make a track ranking. Looking forward to tomorrow.

I’ve liked other albums like Goo wayyyyy more. This one was kinda discordant and freaky more than it was fun and interesting

Given what I’ve heard (on alternative/modern rock radio over the years) and know (Kim Gordon is a rock icon) about Sonic Youth, I really thought I would like this album more. (This is the first Sonic Youth album I’ve listened to in its entirety.) Perhaps those songs I like are on later albums. Didn’t dislike it too much, but I doubt I’ll ever come back to this one again. 2.49 stars

An album I can respect for its influence and intent, even if its wiry noise-rock edge isn’t something I’d reach for often.

I just don’t like this

This was not good.

I like alternative music and noise in general, but I'm just not into Sonic Youth. I tried.

There’s nothing wrong with Sonic youth or this album. It’s just kind of bland.

Странное, не моё

Meh. I didn't notice that album started playing 2nd time.

Schwierig. Es gab einzelne Lichtblicke im Vergleich zu manch anderem Album.

Experimentelle Musik bleibt ein zweiseitiges Schwert: Kann richtig cool und erfrischend sein, geht es allerdings an rhythmische Experimente wehrt sich schnell mein Autismus. Sehr schade, weil es immer mal ganz nice zwischendrin klingt. Insgesamt aber nicht schön zu hören

Just not my thing.

I liked the first song, didn't really enjoy the rest. Too noisy.

Album 75 Top 3 favorites off the album: Stereo Sanctity, Tuff Gnarl, Cotton Crown So, the opening track was more enjoyable right away than the last Sonic Youth album I listened to on here. I was really ready to say that the whole album was better than the last one I listened to by them, but then I listened to the whole thing and remembered I don't like Sonic Youth that much. I liked Stereo Sanctity for both the lyrical and instrumental content; "I can't get laid cause everyone is dead" was just a little funny. I like how it drives forward without being one big wall of sound the whole time; there's that slight pause in lower percussion for a few bars at a time after verse 2, then the loss of all of it for a few bars after that. It had enough going on to stay interesting the whole time. Tuff Gnarl was also an engaging listen, though not for the entirety. It got a bit noisy there towards the end in a way that I stopped rocking with about 20 seconds before the song ended. I don't care for Kim Gordon's voice. I don't care for her singing style. Not my thing. So much so, in fact, that I almost skipped Pacific Coast Highway halfway through. I'm also not a fan of the spoken word approach here. Track 2, that portion of Pipeline/Kill Time, regardless of whose turn it is to plunge me into a highly distorted, sometimes shrill, often overly dissonant hellscape, I'm not rocking with it. I sound like such a whiny, boring bitch. "Rah rah rah dissonance, meh meh shrill, blah blah blah too much distortion, back in my day---" okay grandma, let's get you to bed. I think my track record is proving that I do have an appreciation for these things in some contexts, though (I hope it is). Sonic Youth just isn't my flavor of them.

A few decent songs regularly broken up with pointless, atonal noise. It might be "art" but it's not music I want to revisit. Also, I think this is my fourth Sonic Youth album - they are over represented on the list. I would say Daydream Nation is the only one that’s worth being included. 2⭐️

One thing I’ve learnt is that Sonic Yourh are pretty crap and not worth investing 45 minutes in

My big problem with this album is that most of the songs start out fine, but then it just turns into incomprehensible noise. It makes it so unenjoyable.

Early discordant sonic youth lighter on Melodie’s heavier on grunge. Probably one of the missing links but I won’t be returning too frequently.

I understand why it was popular as it was a completely new sound for the time it came out. However, it is not something I would voluntarily listen to again. No real top songs. 4.5/10

Wenn Grunge übertrieben wird und es auch nicht nach Rock klingt, kommt dieses Album heraus.

This was a very difficult listen. I hate saying an album just sounds like a lot of noise, but unfortunately I feel like this was the case here.

2.5 - Meh

A couple of songs were ok, but genrally just a wall of noise for me.

Songs I saved: Stereo Sanctity

I should be Sonic Youth’s number one fan. I love crazy psychotic guitars, New York City, and rebellious energy. I even know someone who used to tour with them. But, whenever I play a Sonic Youth album, I always end up shaking my head. I always end up feeling the bad kind of dirty. This was almost the exception. I was into the first four tracks or so. Then, after a while, I just had to hold my hands in the air in exhaustion. I don’t know these people at all, but I feel like I know people like these people, and they’re awful people. So, Sonic Youth albums just give me bad vibes.

Sonic youth a real “not for me but I respect it” type band

I don’t think I like noise rock? Better than einsturzende neubautwn though

They weren't nearly as cool as they thought they were.

I don’t like hearing effort

Schizophrenia - 4/5 (I Got A) Catholic Block - 3.5/5 Beauty Lies In The Eye - 3/5 Stereo Sanctity - 4.5/5 Pipeline/ Kill Time - 3/5 Tuff Gnarl - 2.5/5 Pacific Coast Highway - 3/5 Hot Wire My Heart - 3/5 Kotton Krown - 3/5 White Cross - 2.5/5 Master-Dik - 2.5/5

Mmkay. 2.4.

ok

I honestly feel so little about this album. I liked it, I can't remember not liking it, but honestly it was just kinda nothing. I feel like there were so many other albums I could've been listening to this morning that would've been a better use of my time. Favorites: Schizophrenia, Pipeline/Kill Time, Kotton Krown

I just dont get Sonic Youth. Somebody explain the appeal.

I think Sonic Youth are one of those bands someone like me is meant to like. Frankly I spent most of this album wondering whether to put 2 or 3. It's not something I ever care to listen to. I'm all for discordant sounds and singers who can't sing. But... Nothing here is memorable. Too much jars wrong places but not in any particularly interesting way, and whoever decided the running order had no idea what they were doing. Ok the final track Master-Dik just started and I think I can say this is a high 2. Sorry, James.

i really wanted to like this more but the instrumentals just really put me off today

Heard it before. Surprised to find out how many Sonic Youth albums are on the list. Too many honestly. This is one of those that could've been left out. Still, an interesting piece of music 2/5

very very rocky, maybe too rocky...

They had me early on but lost me when songs descended into noise. 2.5/5

I thought a few songs were okay, but as a whole this wasn't for me.

*sigh* Spotify was playing silly buggers so i was in quite a bad mood by the time I got round to listening. Nothing stuck to the sides at all. No sentiment or sound or groove. Just.. dunno.

One thing I've learned from 1001 is that I really don't like Sonic Youth as much as I thought I did. I hinged my liking of them around a few of their songs that have a more alt, less noise lean. But in reality, they probably ultimately lean a bit too noise rock for my liking, ultimately just leaving me feeling "okay" about them. And with a total of five of their albums on this project, all more or less doing the same thing, I feel like we could have made room for something else. This was my last album of theirs, and looking back, I've just been consistently whelmed.

Not a big fan of the vocals. But the guitar sounds were something special. How they get the guitar to sound like it’s screaming is something else. Great punk record but need more listens

Meh

album de welcome to the jungle, buena entrada, también está paradise city y sweet child o'mine

On the surface I should've loved this: somewhat experimental with a ton of fuzz and effects that still sits in the "an album of songs" space rather than the region of soundscapes and noise. Started off pretty promising, then slowly went down, and down, and the last stretch was just awful. It sounded like a high school battle of the bands except rather than get music lessons or singing lessons to learn more than 3 chords they spent all that money on guitar pedals.

Too much noise.

duhhh duhhhh duhhhhhhh errrrrrr duhhhhhhrrrrrrrr

First song was alright, then it went downhill

Heard the chord progression on the first song and thought I was going to love this. The rest disappointed me.

There were some parts of the album that really captured me, but for the most part I was bored and wished I was listening to something else. I do think a lot of artistry was put into this album and it’s more than just random chords and screams but I don’t have any interest to look deeper. Light 2/5

I wanted to like this

I can't say "I'd listen to that song again" for a single song. There are always some parts that sound quite good, mostly in combination with the guy singing then, but mostly i did not enjoy it. And these "singing" parts of the girl? yeah no i guess you needed to have been there. i mean i was there but not THERE. anyway

Not my taste but I appreciate that this is on the list