Sonic Youth - Murray Street
(Geffen)
3 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: Oct. 26, 2002
Review by Tom Schulte
Sonic Youth is exceedingly admirable for their integrity and their adherence to their artistic vision of arty noise-rock. However, this, their sixteenth album since forming in 1981, is somewhat sluggish. The Kim Gordon-led pieces stand out the most. It is still a very good album and after a career this long, I think it is okay to have your best work behind you. The Kim Gordon-led pieces are the stand outs and particularly vigorous, while Thurston Moore continues to head toward a more melodic vocal style. During the creation of this album, recording in their own studio was interrupted and their masters and instruments were locked into their studio within an area cordoned off after the events of September 11, 2001. This is the second album in the group's trilogy about lower Manhattan culture, preceded by NYC Ghosts and Flowers. For their trademark sound of sophisticated noise, the group continues to successfully rely on the production prowess of Jim O'Rourke.