Condition: New
Sonic Youth Sonic Youth
Label: Goofin' Records GOO-08
Format: Vinyl, 2LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Vinyl, 2LP
Gatefold with two printed inner sleeves
New
Country: US
Released: 2006
Genre: Rock
Style: Art Rock, Punk, Avantgarde
Tracklist
The Original Record (Released March 1982)
A1 The Burning Spear 3:24
A2 I Dreamed I Dream 5:14
A3 She Is Not Alone 4:02
B1 I Don't Want To Push It 3:31
B2 The Good And The Bad 7:49
Early Live (September 18, 1981)
C1 Hard Work 3:19
C2 Where The Red Fern Grows 5:47
C3 The Burning Spear 3:23
C4 Cosmopolitan Girl 3:35
C5 Loud And Soft 6:48
D1 Destroyer 5:32
D2 She Is Not Alone 3:29
Early Studio (October 1981)
D3 Where The Red Fern Grows
Engineer Unknown 6:45
Credits
Engineer Don Hunerberg (tracks: A1 to B2)
Liner Notes Byron Coley, Glenn Branca, Richard Edson
Mastered By John Golden
Performer Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Richard Edson
Performer, Liner Notes Thurston Moore
Producer, Written-By Sonic Youth
Recorded By Dan Graham (tracks: C1 to D2)
Notes
Sides A and B Recorded and mixed at Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) between December 1981 and January 1982. Originaly released on Neutral Records.
Side C and tracks D1 & D2 recorded live at Music for Millions Festival, New Pilgrim Theatre, NYC September 18, 1981.
Track D3 recorded at Noise NY sessions October 1981.
Mastered at Golden Mastering, 2006.
.
Made in New York City.
Published by Sonic Tooth.
℗© Geffen Records Inc. Under license from Universal Special Markets, Inc.
This would be the very first EP by the band that soon became the Greatest American Rock Band of the last 25 years. It's kind of the band's misbegotten son, the ne'er-do-well. When they recorded it, they were young, still developing their sound, and relatively unfamiliar with the studio environment.
As a result, the band (and many of their fans) felt it came out rather tepid: a watered down, somewhat sterile version of what they actually wanted to do.
When Geffen started reissuing SY's indie albums in the mid-90's, this was conspicuously left out. One the "best of" collection "Screaming Fields of Sonic Love," Only "I Dreamed I Dream" was included, event though I for one always preferred "She Is Not Alone" (side note: if you hunger for SY-related rarities, try to track down a rather decent cover version of that tune by an industrial outfit named Borghesia). Well, they've finally gotten around to a reissue, only a few month's before the brand new album "Rather Ripped," drops. I'll be sure to review that, and I can tell you're waiting with bated breath.
Now, however, is the time to re-evaluate the EP that broke Sonic ground in 1982 (has it really been that long? Sweet Evil Jesus, these guys are almost eligible for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame!). If you're expecting to hear a rowdy punk beast along the lines of Black Flag's "Damaged" (one of their faves from that era), you'll be disappointed. While the chiming, otherworldly guitar textures that made the band's name are in full evidence, here it is indeed restrained somewhat.
What's really different is the drumming. Like many bands, Sonic Youth went through a few drummers, including future Pussy Galore pounder Bob Bert, before settling in with Steve Shelley. In '82, the drummer of choice was Richard Edson, who contributed a more tightly rhythmic backbone to the band's guitar explorations. The resulting sound more closely recalls a lot to the now-legendary post-punk of the era, such as the early work of Gang Of Four and Public Image Ltd. As such, this is a fascinating document of what could have been.
For a while now, detractors have accused the band of becoming sort of an alt-rock Jam Band. This of course can be disputed, but I think if they stuck with the sound of this early material, that barb would have never come up. Mind you, I couldn't hold the band to higher regard as it is, but I find myself loving this album nonetheless. No, it doesn't come close to equalling later maasterworks such as "Bad Moon Rising," "Sister," "Daydream Nation" and yes, even later period albums like "Sonic Nurse," but it's really just two views of a pretty damn excellent picture.
Again, if you prefer the whirlwinds of noise that Sonic Youth perfected, which influeced countless bands since, this may not be your cup o' poison. If you're a rabid Sonic Youth fan to the point of irrationality, well, you probably already have this. Still, if you find yourself sitting on the fence wondering whether you need this in your life: yes, you do. Especially at a price like just ten bucks. What are you waiting for, a personal invitation?
Sonic Youth - Burning Spear
(Live at Central Park, 1992)
Sonic Youth - Where The Red Fern Grows
Sonic Youth - She Is Not Alone
at the Vic Theatre
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