I trust this board's opinions--Vinyl Question

[Highsmith]

Which pedal ‘tastic LP should I buy first?

I saw both bands multiple times during their heydays and have followed their gear (pedal) usage to a degree.

Eventually, I will buy them both.

But what do you all think I should  purchase first? Also, why?

Sonic Youth Battery Park, NYC: July 4th 2008 $23 USD

Or

Shellac The End of Radio $33 USD

fyi all shit-talk welcome.

[Marbles]

Eeh, shit-talk eh? :)


Pedal-wise I personally would go for Sonic Youth 100% If, however, there are a lot of Kim Gordon songs on it I might reconsider. Maybe I love the idea of the band more than the band itself.


Shit talk:
Not a sexist thing, I tried very hard for 23 years, but I just can't get around the pretentiousness in her voice. I like a lot of songs and want to like the band, but every time I put on a record it just, I dunno, doesn't gel with me.  Even bought and read her book hoping it would change my opinion, but no. Made it worse maybe. A book written at a way too early and bitter stage maybe. Then listened to Glitterbust and gave up again.


Maybe I should try again. Any albums you'd recommend?

[rocket88]

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.

[Marbles]

Alright, you got me check that live album. I actually enjoyed it. Pretty much. Not sure what that says haha. Guitars in the first 2 songs are awesome. Even checked out what drive pedals they used.

[Highsmith]

I have all the SY albums from confusion is sex up to washing machine.

I love loved loved daydream nation when it came out, but it sounds dated to me now.

I would recommend Sister.

If I could only have one SY record, that would be it.

shit-talk:

Kim's bass playing, mmm, uh

[anders]

And don't forget Evol, probably my favorite.

[Travis]

I agree with you re Kim’s voice

I want to add onto this tangent though. Two Nuns and a Packmule by Rapeman. Probably my favorite Steve Albini action

[Highsmith]

I'm down with that one.

I actually like Rey Washam's drumming better than Trainor's.

[HamishR]

My favourite songs on Goo are the Kim Gordon songs!  I love the way she sings - the 'tude is perfect for the song Cool Thing.  Makes me laugh when she says "are you gonna liberate us girls from male white corporate oppression?"  Perfect.  Thurston's vocals?  Meh.  I don't mind though because the music can be so amazing.

I wish there were more Kim Gordon songs.  I think her voice works with the band's sound better and I love the cynicism.

[rocket88]

Agreed. Did you know Kim was in a band called Free Kitten, a riot grrrl group, with Julia Cafrtiz from pussy galore, and Yoshimi P-We from Boredoms? Not going to lie, I do love some of the bands out of the riot grrrl movement.

[Marbles]

I love most of those bands too. Like, a lot of bands from that era. Just wish Sonic Youth had different singers I guess, could've been my fav band then. To each his own I guess. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up with it. I got to know bands influenced by them first, and then went back. It maybe has lost some impact cause that way you don't realize how revolutionary they actually are. Like when you didn't grow up with Star Wars and watch it later and you're like: Eh.. what is all the fuss about? That's not great acting and looks goofy.

But enough of making myself the least favorite in this forum haha. I enjoyed the live album mentioned by TS and could take the vocals on that recording pretty well. F*cking love the drive sounds of the guitars on in the first songs. Even took my blue box for a spin again. Watched a Thurston Moore show on youtube for some Pitchfork thing and again: enjoyed the guitars lots.


Like I said before, i'm sure it's not the band, it's just me I guess. Lots of friends are crazy about them. And lots of friends say they are. So I do try every 2 or 3 years to get into them. Cause on paper they are pretty much the perfect band. Will check out you guys' fav albums. Who knows

[Highsmith]

I have "Unboxed" by Free Kitten on vinyl.

Honestly, I found it basically unlistenable.

I don't have any releases, but my wife and saw Body / Head here in SF, and it was pretty OK!