Sonic Youth - The Destroyed Room

I smell a contractual obligation. With this b-sides and rarities compilation Sonic Youth will have delivered the final album of their contract with Geffen and will effectively have been released from the shackles of major labeldom. Sure enough, this hotchpotch of mostly instrumental tracks offers little of interest to the hardcore fan, and almost nothing to hook the casual listener. Rarities are usually rare for a reason, and most of the tracks here are pale facsimiles of classic Sonic Youth moments. Standouts 'Kim's Chords' and 'Beautiful Plateau' are both mildly engaging workouts, but fans will have most likely already 'acquired' these songs, which were originally Japanese bonus tracks from the Sonic Nurse album. Similarly, the sublime 25 minute extended freakout version of 'The Diamond Sea' is already known and loved by the band's faithful legions. 'Three Part Sectional Love Seat' is the only essential unreleased track here – meagre pickings indeed. [Jay Shukla]