Rather Ripped (2006) &
The Eternal (2009)
Their last two albums mark Sonic Youth's transition towards more "pop-like" songs. By pop, I mean take everything they have done in their career - the noise solos, instrumental parts, the dissonance, the chord progressions, the harmonics, etc. - and organize it into strict song structures. This gives the songs a more traditional and stereotypical "rock" sound and "catchy-ness." Being in their late forties to early fifties by this point, they have matured as musicians and this can be seen in the tone, timing, and speed of the songs.
Although Jim O'Rourke stops working with them after Sonic Nurse, Mark Ibold joins, playing bass on The Eternal. His bass lines definitely add some character to each song; this is especially heard in the song "Calming The Snake."
Rather Ripped and The Eternal are both solid albums. Although not as good as Murray Street or Sonic Nurse, they are not trumped at all by the previous two as they cover different relative musical grounds. "Incinerate" off of Rather Ripped is probably their most popular song of all the material they released in the last decade. If asked which is better, I would have to say though that Rather Ripped is the better album. They utilize this odd Eb major 7 tuning that they never used before. It gives the guitars a great tone and comes out very well in the songs. The Eternal seems a bit recycled and at times a little too simple or redundant.
Well I have reviewed every album in their discography. If you are very brave music listener, Sonic Youth also released these SYR albums on the side, most of which are instrumentals and very avant-garde in nature. So just be wary.Sonic Youth has had an extensive go at it, so I'll just finish it with these words: I hope you find at least one song out of this that you like and that you recommend Sonic Youth to others. Few bands have a musical legacy or career like theirs, so keep that in mind.
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Recommended Tracks from the later Sonic Youth albums
"Reena" - Rather Ripped
"Incinerate" - Rather Ripped
"Jams Run Free" - Rather Ripped
"Pink Steam" - Rather Ripped
"Antenna" - The Eternal
"Malibu Gas Station" - The Eternal
"Walkin Blue" - The Eternal
"Massage the History" - The Eternal
