A Lesson In Science With Sonic Youth

A familiar song came on my shuffle this morning, and right from the first “note” I knew exactly what it was. “Starfield Road” from Sonic Youth’s Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star record had inched it’s way into the mix. I’ve been in a very nostalgic mood recently, as what happens frequently with the changing season, and I remember that this was one of my very first and most loved records growing up. I felt compelled to immediately go back and listen to this entire record from beginning to end and recall thoughts of the good ol’ life back in ‘94.

I must say. This album has held up strong against the tide of time these past 15 years. Every song is just as raw and dingy as it used to be, but now with even more grit from all the trash it has trudged through over the years to maintain it’s status today as the quality record that it is.

Sonic Youth has the art of noise down to a science. I guess after 28 years together, it’s not that hard to believe. They have been praised as redefining what a guitar can do in rock music with their construction and deconstruction of instruments for different timbre and accent effects. Many have tried to follow in their footsteps and for the most part fallen short, but their influence can be seen in different ways in many groups. I hear evidence of this influence in some groups like the Raveonettes’ trebley, distorted guitars, or even our own RTB2’s insanely intricate, driving melodies and grungy vocal patterns.

Sonic Youth’s distortion and noise infused “melodies” create abstract beauty from both disaster and chaos. Founder and lead vocalist Thurston Moore is a musical experimentalist and genius. Bassist Kim Gordon is one of my all-time favorite female vocalists/performers… Also one of my first crushes… Maybe still holds a special little place in my heart?… Ahhhh. Kim Gordon *dreamy face*. Her deep, raspy, moaning voice is dark and thoaty, and her scream is shrill, yet guttural at the same time. Plus, she’s just damn sexy. That’s that. Sonic Youth would not be the same with anyone else.

I’m glad that these guys have stayed somewhat on the radar over all this time and still remain an influence in the musical world. Although I hate to see them regaining popularity from appearing on an episode of Gossip Girl, I guess after 28 years, a little extra face time couldn’t hurt. Sonic Youth deserves to be better known and respected in the music world than they have been. That concludes today’s lesson, folks… And there will be a quiz later.

-Cory Coleman [c]