The Sundance Channel has recently been showing the Sonic Youth documentary "Silver Rockets, Kool Things." I finally got a chance to catch it last night and I found that their music intrigued me. In fact, it intrigued me enough to go out and have a listen to SY's stuff. So, can any SY fans here recommend a good album with which to start my SY experience? I've been told by a few folks that "Goo" and "Dirty" are good places to start for SY virgins, but I wanted some verification on that. Thanks.
Damn, I have the Sundance channel for six mionths and they show nothing but ************, and tehn its gone and a Sonic Youth doc somes on. I love Dirty, its my favorite of theirs but some Sonic Youth fans don't like it. Confusion is Sex is pretty good.
"Goo" & "Dirty" are entry-level SY, for sure. Daydream Nation is their pinnacle, in my opinion. Download side-project Ciccone Youth's "Into The Groovy" for kicks. After "Silver Rockets, Kool Things", did you catch the 2nd installment of "Sonic Cinema"? Had some great interviews with Kim, Lee, & Thurston about scoring films and some of the great directors they've worked with on their own videos. Also a nice profile of Michel Gondry.
Alas, no I didn't. Had to go to bed. I'm sure they'll reair the interviews at some time in the future. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
They've been morphing more and more into electro-pop lately (not that there's anything wrong with that), I'd start with an earlier record if I were you. Good suggestions have already been made.
i have been a fan since 1987 i think they are my favorite american band since then i think dyvel's suggestions listed above are right on the money they were released in this order -evol -sister -daydream nation and i like daydream nation the best goo is also a blast, which was the next album released in order i think in that documentary film you will hear their early mentor glen branca mention his fave is also daydream nation i must admit i lost interest in later records like washing machine, a thousand leaves, jet set trash and no star on a good note i think the last two albums, nyc ghosts and flowers and murray street are great and if you ever get a chance to see them live i hope you love it as much as i do i have seen them play in front of crowds from 100 to 50,000 and have always come away with a huge grin on my face
If you get three this would be a great selection. Daydream Nation and Sister are must haves. I would also recommend the new one (Murray Street) and if you like a lower-fi, more feedback, harsher sound then get the Confusion is Sex/Kill Yr Idols CD as well. Hope you enjoy it. Sonic Youth is one of my favorites.
Ditto again. Goo and Dirty are both good introductions to Sonic Youth. Some say their best were Sister and Daydream Nation which were recorded before signing with a major label. Their latest, Murray Street is also accessible to those new to their music. At the other end of the spectrum, Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star, is still a challenge for me, but some say its their favorite. They are awesome. There are many places to start.
One of the best shows I ever saw was Frightwig, Firehose, and Sonic Youth at the Irving Plaza, NYC. A great night of music.
ah yes, what a great tour sonic youth and firehose toured together twice the first tour was called "the flaming telepaths tour" - named after the blue oyster cult song and the second tour was called "the james worthy tour" - named after the great los angeles laker forward of the time