Sonic Youth - Sister

SST

June 1st, 1987.

Sonic Youth's fourth studio saw more conventional song structures come into view after their fairly avant garde project 'Evol' the year before in 1986. However, there's still room for experimental shenanigans in usual Sonic youth fashion. Extended sections bring interesting textures, tones and questions. Is there an end goal in sight, or is the journey worth more than the reward?

Beginning on the one-two punch of 'Schizophrenia'and 'Catholic Block', the most tone-setting and effective intro to their discography until 'Teen Age Riot' on Daydream Nation, Sister is setup to be a melodically tinged noise rock affair. Shades of New York's DIY aesthetic lace the material. The Velvet Underground's influence is apparent on tracks like 'Tuff Gnarl'. Different decade, same roundhouse. Progress in sonic execution and potential being the game at hand.

Moments of absolute bliss occur, from time to time. They act as a reason to sit through the tough stuff. The carrot at the end of the stick, if you will. The cool down once the noisier elements of 'Pacific Coast Highway' ease being one of these moments. The track goes from shut off and closed in, opens up to the infinite, then returns back to where it came from - the cycle of Sonic Youth is complete. It's as if the band build up a wall, to knock it down, to build it up yet again. Vulnerability works the same way. They would leave the wall knocked down further on in their output.

Sister is an excellent record, but it's most definitely a band that are yet to reach their peak. They seem more interested in creating style over substance. Daydream Nation was on the horizon after all. Their balance of style and substance would evenly balance out there.

Notable tracks: Schizophrenia, Catholic Block

June 1st, 1987.