![]() ![]() Watching a catchy tune cave in on itself into a sea of haze and distortion, unsure of exactly what it will become, is pretty spine tingling. Most of the older tunes were Kim-lead ones, which contributed to a lack of some decades-old favorites such as “Teenage Riot,” “Tom Violence,” or “Catholic Block,” songs which have been played previously on the tour.īut the spectacle of seeing any Sonic Youth song performed live never really disappoints. Ranaldo, Gordon, and Moore all shared the role throughout the 17 songs, but it seemed that the missus was holding the night’s golden mic. The set, however, did seem pretty heavy on Kim lead vocal spots. The beautiful “Shadow of a Doubt” had Kim Gordon whispering into the microphone over Moore’s pleasantly stinging harmonics, and “Silver Rocket” brought punk drums, thrashed chords, and Thurston’s snarl to the table. But that’s not to say that they didn’t please die-hards with some back catalog gems, either. ![]() If you missed one of your favorites Saturday night, there was probably a hint of it found in one of the newer tracks. The songs on the Eternal, however, draw from the Youth’s entire discography, pulling splinters and shards from the massive array of noises once used, and combining them to craft new material. But, should we expect that from a group so notoriously inaccessible? I think not. Playing 2009’s The Eternal almost in its entirety, the show was certainly not a hit parade. The sheer fury of songs like Sister’s “White Cross” juxtaposed with the mellow, acoustic wanderings of “Massage the History” created a perfect equilibrium of noise and open space. meets the Allman Bothers), the noisy flourish of Sonic Youth filled the War Memorial Auditorium. After a more than impressive showing from openers the Entrance Band-a California three-piece that displayed their own blend of tight, progressive sludge rock (think Dinosaur Jr. Watching them perform live is almost like witnessing multiple bands take the stage, only the five players never change. Sonic Youth have a wide range of song styles. ![]() When you are a member of Sonic Youth, you don’t just play your guitar, you use it as a means of getting from point A to point B, whether that entails scratching the strings with a metal rod, sliding a broken drum stick across the bridge, or turning knobs and pushing numerous pedals to get it done. ‘Poison Arrow’.” Though he stands opposite stage from guitarist Lee Ranaldo, the two intertwine their coarse tones to make paradoxically melodic art like they are looking into each other’s eyes. I was tuning to a D, but I tuned to a D sharp,” and again stating the song’s title to start his second attempt “. He cares a lot more than he lets on, even as he dryly apologizes for the falsely started “Poison Arrow,” pointing to the amp head: “I’m so tall that I couldn’t read my tuner. But if he wasn’t passionate about what he does, he wouldn’t attack his guitar so feverishly. As he effortlessly throws himself around the stage, frequently collapsing to the floor, guitar in hand, he perfectly balances enthusiasm and nonchalance. Though he’s been crafting dissonant post-punk with Sonic Youth for nearly 30 years, the guy could seriously pass for a college student. At the wise age of 50, he retains the stage presence of a teenage slacker. Thurston Moore cares, he’d just like you to think he doesn’t. ![]()
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