Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation: Deluxe
14 inspirational explosions of discontent that defined an era
| 10 Jul 2007
Album title:
Daydream Nation: Deluxe
Artist:
Sonic Youth
Label:
Universal
The dust has been shaken from the original tapes, resulting in a record that sounds louder and more punchy, although some of the endearing muddiness of the original has been sacrificed and the percussion has been given a little too much room to breathe. There's not much left to be said about the songs themselves: 14 inspirational explosions of discontent that defined an era. Despite the band's slacker aesthetic, listening back to this album reveals the songs to be permeated with raw feeling and high drama – all wrapped up in the most kaleidoscopic textures that a guitar/bass/drums combo could ever hope to produce.
The live cd, featuring thrilling renditions of every song on the album, only confirms this evaluation: here the band sound almost possessed, dangerous even – as if by kicking music's ass they would also be teaching the world at large a lesson it would never forget. It's a testament to the band's genius that the noise they made all those years ago still sounds revolutionary – and that word is not used lightly. As the band gear up to release a compilation for sale in Starbucks outlets, their mantle as 'the band that never sold out' seems to be in question. Treasure this record – we will not see its like again. [Jay Shukla]
Release Date: 2 July.
Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation at ABC, Glasgow on 21-22 Aug. http://www.sonicyouth.com
Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation at ABC, Glasgow on 21-22 Aug. http://www.sonicyouth.com