Massive sonic youth fan checking in, in fact they were my first concert back in the day. I never felt Kim’s voice was pretentious, thought it was more emotionally flat like she didn’t care and kinda nihilistic. For those first getting into sonic youth I would suggest Bad Moon Rising and Day Dream Nation, great albums and the classic ones everyone starts with. I would also have to suggest NYC Ghosts and Flowers, and I’m a huge fan of the album Goo.
Side note I love love shellac. If you are too check out Big Black if you haven’t already. One of my favorite Steve Albini projects.