Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

  by Andy Snowball

published: 11 / 5 / 2002




Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

In the latest in our Favourite Album series, in which one of our writers writes about an album of his or her choice, Andy Snowball looks at Sonic Youth's classic 1988 album , 'Daydream Nation'





Article

Over the band’s 20-year lifespan, Sonic Youth’s continued experimentation and the massive variation in influences that they’ve applied to their records has regularly either frustrated or delighted their listeners. From their earliest, most abrasive releases up until the band’s quieter recent records, and with various low-key projects on the side, they have always appeared to be a number of different bands at once. That they now release their albums on different labels depending on its commercial viability does seem rather at odd with their regular proclamations to be "just a rock band". But 1988’s 'Daydream Nation' signalled an incredible period for the Sonic Youth, as the multi-faceted noodling momentarily gave way to a damn-near perfectly formed record that matched the band’s experimental approach with punk and still managed to give us a listenable, fun, brilliant record. 'Daydream Nation' marked a transitional period for the band as the last record before their move to major label Geffen. It juxtaposes the band’s defining features, such as their use of alternate tunings and their layered, structured songs with a commercial outlook. Unlike 'Goo', their debut for Geffen, it is still provocative though, with extended wig-out sections and and a kind of fearlessness from not having major label pressures. The record is a beguiling mixture of the flippant and throwaway – such as Thurston Moore’s slacker lyrics on 'Teen Age Riot '– and the deadly seriousness which the band have always used so effectively on their music. It contains the spirit of the very best records, filled with the fire of great rock ‘n’ roll that lifts a very few records above the rest. 'Teen Age Riot' sets up Daydream Nation’s momentum as the haunting opening chords make way for a killer riff and adolescent battlecry lyrics. 'Silver Rocket' is high speed, dissonant punk before the listener is given a chance to catch their breath as the clatter of 'The Sprawl' fades out to a long, improvised ending. ‘Cross The Breeze' captures many of the album’s features in one go as the grinding punk intro steps aside as a massive hook pulls you in to Kim Gordon’s half shout, half growl delivery. Lee Ranaldo almost made' Daydream Nation' his own with his contributions. On 'Hey Joni' guitars dance around vocals, which questions what went wrong with people’s dreams in the 60’s: “Hey Joni, when will all the dreams come true?” he asks, with a passionate, almost desperate, zeal. The tension in 'Eric’s Trip' winds up like a spring, before being released in a ferocious sonic blur. Towards the end of the album the band get a bit noisier and return to the lo-fi dynamics of its predecessors, as if to regain the attention of any listeners they may have lost. The bleak 'Rain King' is followed by Kim’s best snarl on 'Kissability' before the album closes with the sprawling trilogy, whose parts alternate between obnoxious punk, low, brooding noise and back to punk for the finale. The album’s lowest point – the disappointingly normal and lifeless 'Total Trash' – serves to highlight how special 'Daydream Nation' is by having a regular rock song in amongst an astonishing collection, showing just how removed Sonic Youth usually are and were from the rest of rock’s prosaic posers. Bands flagging in the wake of the art rock veterans, too afraid to utilise Sonic Youth’s scholarly approach to modern music, are still copying 'Daydream Nation' today. But for all its musical merits and art rock points scored, it remains, above all else, simply a great rock ‘n’ roll record



Track Listing:-



Band Links:-

http://sonicyouth.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sonicyouth/
https://twitter.com/thesonicyouth


Picture Gallery:-

Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation


Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation


Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation


Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation



Post A Comment


Check box to submit




Interviews


Interview with Steve Shelley (2004)
Sonic Youth - Interview with Steve Shelley
Remaining constantly inventive, Sonic Youth are soon to release their nineteenth album, 'Sonic Nurse'. Mark Rowland talks to drummer Steve Shelley about its creation,and their recent turn as curators at the All Tomorrow's Parties alternative rock festiva

Live Reviews


Roundhouse, London, 1/9/2007
Sonic Youth - Roundhouse, London, 1/9/2007
In the iconic recently opened venue of the Roundhouse in London, Dominic Simpson watches Sonic Youth in a 'Don't Look Back' show give a dynamic and forceful perfomance of their classic 1988 album, 'Daydream Nation'
Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 6/8/2004
Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London,

Favourite Albums


Daydream Nation (2007)
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Jon Rogers looks at Sonic Youth's 1988 opus 'Daydream Nation'which has just been re-released with both additional songs and a whole extra disc of live versions of the album

Features


Sonic Youth 'EVOL' and 'Sister' (2011)
Sonic Youth - Sonic Youth 'EVOL' and 'Sister'
In our ‘Soundtrack of Our Lives’ column, in which our writers reflect upon music that has had a personal impact on them, Jon Rogers writes of Sonic Youth’s 1986 and 1987 albums, ‘EVOL’ and ‘Sister’
Reissues (2006)


Digital Downloads




Soundcloud




Reviews


Smart Bar-Chicago 1985 (2013)
Forceful and raw live album from Sonic Youth, recorded at a 1985 Chicago club gig, which will be of appeal only to hardened fans
Simon Werner A Disparu (2011)
The Destroyed Room (2007)
Rather Ripped (2006)
Goo (2005)
Sonic Nurse (2004)
Dirty (2003)


Most Viewed Articles






Most Viewed Reviews




Related Articles


Thurston Moore: Live Review (2014
Thurston Moore - Thurston Moore/Mark Gardener - Bodega, Nottingham, 12/11/2014
At the intimate Bodega in Nottingham, Anthony Strutt watches ex-Sonic Youth front man Thurston Moore, with Ride's Mark Gardener as support, play an intense but versatile set