Sonic Youth: Rather Ripped

Anyone inclined to say that Sonic Youth's best days are behind them is hereby cordially invited to pick up a copy of the stunningly focused and tuneful Rather Ripped - if they don't mind eating a little crow that is. That's not to say that this new long-player from the NYC foursome replaces the likes of Sister or Daydream Nation at the vanguard of the group's lengthy canon, but not only does it practically radiate with the same abiding quality of those aforementioned albums, it also makes some of their recent, shall we say, 'less-than-stellar' releases such as Washing Machine (except for "Diamond Sea") or NYC Ghosts and Flowers that much easier to forget.

The propulsive opener "Reena" makes for an engaging prelude to the rousing and vitriolic rave-up "Incinerate," which like "Unmade Bed" from 2004's Sonic Nurse, promptly asserts itself as reason enough to own the record in the first place. Alternately soothing and harsh, "Do You Believe in Rapture?" could easily be mistaken for someone like Wilco or Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Kim Gordon turns in the stellar "What a Waste" and the obligatory Lee Ranaldo contribution "Rats" keeps up the record's escalating momentum. "Turquoise Boy conjures up impressions of the group's legendary NYC forefathers Television, followed up by the seductively sinister "Lights Out". Business picks up again with "Pink Steam"; nearly seven minutes of slow-building drama that goes straight to the head of its class on the combined strength of its intricate and hypnotic guitar interplay and Thurston's impassioned vocal.

Never mind that the above is the sort of rhetorical gibberish most critics spew about every new Sonic Youth album - Rather Ripped manages to sound articulate without being too cerebral and accessible without a hint of pandering. Much like Some Girls did for the Rolling Stones, Rather Ripped illustrates how Sonic Youth
have found a way to emphasize previously realized benchmarks while simultaneously maintaining a level of standard-bearing relevance. Even among the scant number of bands lucky enough to make it to their 25^th year as Sonic Youth now have, few remain as prolific or as stimulating and do so with such composure. I guess the only suitable way to describe it would be "Kool."