Sonic Youth
Rather Ripped
Geffen/Universal



Having heard tid-bits of Sonic Youth over the years and having been happy enough with what I'd heard, 'Rather Ripped' is the first Sonic Youth album I've actually sunk my teeth into. And the result is that I'm very, very impressed. Ultra cool, slick, mid-paced melodious rock - melodious grunge, dare I say - this is beautiful music from the 25-year-old veterans. Don't let the term 'veterans' deceive you though, because this album is nothing but fresh and dynamic.

Opening track Reena, is slickly produced and performed. With cute guitar riffs and lovely melodies, there's a real uplifting vibe going on, tempered from being too pop by a subtly ascending swirl of mayhem that is capped off with pounding drums. Incinerate follows in a similar fashion but Sonic Youth's strength shines through here. 'Rather Ripped' is an album of little variation in terms of song structure and pace, but every song is so marvellously constructed and detailed that it is anything but monotonous. Sleepin' Around brings a touch more of the renown dirty, distorted guitars and quite simply, it's a pleasure.

The vocal duties, performed between Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon and Lee Ranaldo are comfortably shared, and although not used sparingly, are beautifully balanced with straight guitar rock. Jams Run Free for example, features Gordon's breathy vocals, delicately pushed along with the guitars, before the guitars commandeer the song and go for a joyride. Do You Believe In Rapture? is the ethereal and dreamy standout of this album, and probably the most minimalist. But that's Sonic Youth - they don't need much to make amazing sounds.

Steve Williams