Sonic Youth: The Eternal

Label: Matador

Sonic Youth’s return to the indie ranks resulted in no major changes from their previous song album, 2006’s Rather Ripped. The Eternal still features lots of moody mid-tempo grooves; the textures are still clearer and less cluttered than during their Jim O’Rourke period, perhaps very slightly messier and grittier than last time. The only thing here that’s a departure: the brief passages with tight vocal harmonies, such as on “Walkin Blue,” which also has more of a normal melody than usual. The fact that there are practically no surprises here is irrelevant though. What it boils down to is, SY has a great sound, and even when the lyrics are silly or lackadaisical, Lee and *Thurston*’s distinctive guitar timbres push all the right buttons. The brilliance and freshness of Evol/Sister/Daydream Nation are not going to be surpassed, so don’t expect that; just relax into the billowing waves of clangorous six-strings. They invented this sound and style, and despite all the bands influenced by it over the past three decades, they’re still the best. (Steve)