rather ripped

Sonic Youth finished up their contract with Geffen with the romantic and raucous 'Rather Ripped'. Just before heading into the studio, the band recovered most of their "uniquely modified and irreplaceable" guitars, amps, and gear "(all hot-rodded for sonic noise and pleasure)" that had been stolen in 1999. This made it easier for them to record their fifteenth album of feedback drenched alternative tunings; and it seems to draw from the sound of every one of those records. The album refines and tightens their experimental process, building guitar textures that are more graceful and structured than the deliberate noise of their roots.

Thurston Moore jokes that they spend most of their free time "getting together with some people doing cross-country improvised noise music in basements"; but Lee Ranaldo describes 'Rather Ripped' as "much more of a straight-ahead record. The music we make doesn’t really fit into the mainstream. But, this record is to the point. Public perception is something we have never had control over.”

With the departure of Jim O'Rourke, Kim Gordon had to deal with her chronic tendonitis. “It’s really hard for me to sing and play bass,” she says. “Unless you’re singing something that’s kind of in rhythm with the bass, the melodies, it’s just difficult.”

'Rather Ripped' reached number one on the Canadian College chart and was ranked number three on Rolling Stone's top fifty albums of the year.

http://www.sonicyouth.com/

'Incinerate'

"Firefighters hose me down

I don't care I'll burn out anyhow

It's 4 alarm girl nothing to see

Hear the sirens come for me

You dosed my soul with gasoline

You flicked a match into my brain"

'Do You Believe in Rapture?'

"A terrible hit strikes today

A terrible hit for the parade

Burning eyes see Jesus coming

Jesus comes to pave the way

Do you believe in his sweet sensation?

Do you believe in second chance?

Do you believe in rapture, babe?"

'Jams Run Free'

"I love the way you move

I hope it's not too late for me

It's too good on the sea

where the light is green,

where the light is green

Jagged brain

Slow refrain

We love the jams,

and jams run free"

'Rats' features Lee Ranaldo on lead vocals.

"When the rats run riot

And the screen door slams

When the trees grow quiet

Nothing but cats and cans

When the breeze says 'try it'

But you can't hardly see

When yr love has died

And you rat on me"

'Pink Steam'

"Sweet lips flowers + cream

Deep in love surrender pink steam

Deep in love you need no other

Deep in love yr lonely lover

Feel your wild heart beat

Lonely lover

Open up to me

Lonely mother"

'Rather Ripped'
full album:



All tracks written by Sonic Youth


1. Reena
2. Incinerate
3. Do You Believe in Rapture?
4. Sleepin Around
5. What a Waste
6. Jams Run Free
7. Rats
8. Turquoise Boy
9. Lights Out
10. The Neutral
11. Pink Steam
12. Or
bonus
13. Helen Lundeberg
14. Eyeliner