SONIC YOUTH

The Destroyed Room B-Sides and Rarities

Genre: INDIE / ALTERNATIVE

Boomkat Product Review:

I don't think it's a secret how much we're all rabid about Sonic Youth here, their latest effort 'Rather Ripped' made us weak at the knees illustrating that they're still one of the finest bands the world has to offer. This latest disc is a much needed compilation of 'odds and sods', and while it may smack of contractual obligation and the cynical Christmas cash-in, it's Sonic Youth and the quality is simply shockingly good throughout. I shouldn't be surprised, the Youth have rarely let me down, and even though this is comprised of random compilation appeercussive flourishes and pounding before memorable and distinctly SY melodiarances, lesser known b-sides and unreleased tracks and they all come from SY's post 1995 pre 2006 period there isn't a bad track on here. Not only this but it flows as if the tracks were always supposed to be heard together with the production differences between tracks only adding to the band's necessary grit and grind. Surprisingly the cuts are largely instrumental, and the album is kicked off in true style with the 10 minute jam 'Fire Engine Dream'. This is core-sound Sonic Youth and totally encapsulates my love for the band; discordant riffs building and building over Kraut-lite pes emerge through the noise and mayhem. This outtake from the Sonic Nurse sessions sounds surprisingly current given the world's sudden interest in everything noisy and unexpected (just check Mister Moore's lineup for this Christmas's ATP and you'll know what I'm talking about) and is in my opinion reason enough to cough up your hard-earned for yet another item of Sonic Youth goodness. Luckily though there's more to come, with the Kim-heavy one minute loveliness of 'Bull in the Heather' B-Side 'Razor Blade', the droning beauty of 'Blink', the haunting almost shoegazer sounding 'Loop Cat' and the slow burning instrumental goodness of previously unreleased gem 'Three-Part Sectional Love Seat'. For me though the most important track on this generous collection is the full un-trimmed version of one of my all time favourite Sonic Youth tracks; the wonderful 'The Diamond Sea' presented here in all its 25 minute glory, totally untouched by the butchering hands of label. I've been waiting a long time for this one, and it's simply one of the group's finest moments, summing up everything about the band that makes them so darn good - that collision of pure pop and devastatingly uncompromising noise and experimental rock. No excuses - just buy it.

CD (3)