Customer Reviews

Daydream Nation

5 star:		(126)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Daydream Nation is clearly Sonic Youth's breakthrough album. A two lp set that focused all their previous ideas into one cohesive and brilliant album. The songs are stretched out more (though still song length)giving more of an idea of what they sounded like live. Music at this time was stuck in pop doldrums. Sonic Youth, which had built up a cult following, after the release of this album were then signed by a major label and brought all the indie rock bands into the light eventually including one that was just getting a start in Seattle that would soon eclipse all of them in popularity. However, back to Daydream Nation. The sprawling, though in no way self indulgent quality of the album took Sonic Youth into a new direction. Now, in getting the deluxe reissue treatment,it sheds new light on the album. On the 2nd disc you not only get live versions of all of the songs on the album (and Sonic Youth live takes what they do in the studio to a new level) but rarities as their version of "Within You, Without You" which was previously only available on a rare tribute album. If Daydream Nation were released for the first time this year, it would be one of the best albums of the year and with this deluxe reissue, in many ways it is.

I remember the day well. It was the day after Thanksgiving, 1989, and I was out shopping for CDs. "Rolling Stone" had just listed their top 100 albums of the '80's, and #45 on that list was "Daydream Nation." I liked what I had read, so I picked up the CD, and was blown away. From the opening track "Teen Age Riot" to the final "Trilogy," it's a non-stop stream of consciousness ride. The sheer guitar power of the duo of Thurston Moore and Lee Renaldo make this a tour de force of white noise and feedback. Many groups thought that Sonic Youth would be the group that led the "alternative" wave of the early '90's that was instead championed by Nirvana, and in a way, Sonic Youth had a hand in that, since Nirvana were proteges of the band. Indeed, Courtney Love met Kurt Cobain through Sonic Youth bassist (and Thurston Moore's wife) Kim Gordon, who produced Hole's first album. Although I believe that "Sister" is the best Sonic Youth album, this one is likewise a masterpiece, an excellent starting point to discover one of the most underrated bands in rock history.

The fifth album (more or less) by The Best Rock Band of the Last 25 Years should need no introduction, and indeed if you're interested in buying the deluxe edition of Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation," I can presume you're probably already a fan. You already know how the album summed up and then changed the course of the underground rock movement of the 80s, how the ample attention of critics, then music fans, then record labels set the stage for the alternative rock revolution of the 90s--oh well whatever Nevermind and yada yada yada. If, however, you haven't already drank the Kool-Aid (and you should!), some brief notes about the "basic" edition...

"Daydream Nation" is still hailed as Sonic Youth's grand masterpiece, and yeah, it still holds up as such (confession: it's my second favorite SY album after Sister), even if it doesn't seem as radical today as it did when it came out. Sure, there are swirling whirlwinds of oddly-(de)tuned guitars and feedback fading in, out and sometimes interrupting the songs, but make no mistake, there are definitely songs to be found here. The openening "Teenage Riot" is, for its galloping drums and lyrical cheekiness (imagining Dinosaur Jr's J. Mascis as president, or so Thurston Moore has said) basically a melodic and even hummable pop song. Even a more "experimental" song like "The Sprawl" has a certain immediacy, with bassist/vocalist Kim Gordon saying straigt out "does f**k you sound simple enough?" Heck, the closing "trilogy" of the album has all the power and intensity familiar to any classic rock fans, only with a live-wire buzzing and skree that comes from playing in one of Glenn Branca's guitar-army ensembles. Really, it's not so radical after all (for a taste of something far weirder, check out Twin Infinitives, which was released around the same time as DN by Royal Trux, a New York band friendly with Sonic Youth).

For us fan(atic)s, the real treat here is the second disc of this set, which features live versions of all the album's tracks, culled from the band's original tour supporting the album, albeit in a different order (SY has recently announced it will play "Daydream Nation" as part of a special show, presumably in the album's running order). These tracks, mostly of excellent sound quality, are shorter but sharper than the album versions. "Total Trash" is done as an instrumental (I could be wrong, but they seem to be quoting the early Pink Floyd's instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive" in one spot), preceded by another instrumental, "Totally Trashed," which toys around with electronics a bit. Mostly these are no-holds-barred performances that clearly draw on the band's love of hardcore punk and NYC No Wave (DNA, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks). I don't know how a non-fan would react, but for yours truly it's pure Sonic bliss.

Another great bonus on disc two is the inclusion of four cover songs, three of which were taken from now hard-to-find tribute albums (this was before that concept got beaten to death): "Within You Without You" (The Beatles), "Computer Age" (Neil Young) and "Electricity" (Captain Beefheart). There's also a version of Mudhoney's "Touch Me I'm Sick," with demented vocals from Kim, taken from a split 7" (as in vinyl, kids) that had the other band doing SY's "Halloween" on the reverse (alas, that version isn't included here). The Beatles cover in particular shows how the band could translate their sound into completely different realms--the original, of course, was played mostly with sitars.

Add all that to a package that includes ultra-Kool, and rare, pictures and an extensive essay by longtime SY friend Byron Coley, and you have a true Sonic feast. Like they did with the Goo Deluxe Edition and the Dirty (Deluxe Edition), Sonic Youth rewards fans and newcomers alike almost to the bursting point. Now let's hope they burn down the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame before too long...

Daydream Nation is considered a classic album, but it never makes those "100 Greatest Albums" lists because they need to save room for the 18 Beatles albums that will undoubtedly be on there (Nothing against the Beatles, it's just like, "How many spaces do you need?!?"). Anyway, like I was saying, it's thought of as a classic album and rightfully so. Simply put, this is the most perfect collection of sounds I have ever heard. Everything on this album is exactly as it should be. A balance between chaos and structure. Blah, blah, blah. You know the deal.
***
Another good thing about this album is that music snobs like it, so you can bring it up in casual conversation and be accepted into their elitist scene. Cos there's nothing cooler than hanging out with a guy who pretends to like Radiohead. And Sonic Youth influenced a lot of Grunge-era bands, so if you meet someone who's really into Nirvana or something, you can sniff and tell them how derivative you think Kurt Cobain and the Gang were.
***
So ... shell out the $$. Trust me. It's worth it. Just promise to give it a couple listens before you make up your mind. Cos it's a really complex album like that. And if you don't like it? Well, forget you! Go listen to Papa Roach or something.

Earlier criticism of this album's abundance of "guitar noise," in my mind, is unsubstantiated. While "sound experimentalism" plays an important role in DN, it never takes center stage in the album. I dislike the term "experimentalism" because it implies that the songs were recorded during the "trial and error" process. This is not the case- DN is an album of carefully crafted songs. DN is a *product* of trial and error, and song structure is what truly takes center stage here- not guitar effects.

You can't deny the underlying rhythm in each song. Each song has a beauty of its own. Each song moves the listener in a different way.... and that's what's really important!

In my opinion, DN should be the first Sonic Youth album you get- it'll bring the other great discs that followed (such as Goo and Dirty) into the proper context. It really is their best, even though it is not initially "easy listening." Get over it. Listen to it a few times with an open mind. DN is substantial, elegant, intelligent, and solid, with twists and turns scattered throughout. Do not let this one miss your ear!

Daydream Nation is widely considered as one of the great alternative masterpieces of the 80s. I bought this album having heard only one song (Teen Age Riot) and reading the huge praise of the album. And this is one great sound: the energy, wit and rawness of punk mixed with the epic scope of progrock/artrock. It does take more than one listen to get. Here's a trackbytrack:

1. Teen Age Riot - Utterly brilliant. Great lyrics, riffage, drumming, craftsmanship - everything. Sums up everything DN is about. Rating: 10/10
2. Silver Rocket - Opens with doomy arpeggios and riffs. A very angry sounding song, and an excellent one, but the rock song doesn't last long - it moves into pure distortion before the second minute. Rating: 8/10
3. The Sprawl - Fantastic lyrics, ridiculously cool. Threatening sounding. Breaks down for the last few minutes. Rating: 9/10
4. Cross The Breeze - Gorgeous opening riff but soon moves into complex, fast art-punk. Great use of guitar duetting. Rating: 9/10

5. Eric's Trip - Sounds drug-fuelled. Very atmospheric and dark. Rating: 8/10
6. Total Trash - Good, memorable but sounds similar to whats gone before it. Rating: 7/10
7. Hey Joni - Ditto. Rating: 7/10
8. Providence - Dark, arty, neo-classical piece blending stark piano with a spoken sample and rumblings. Different, but not much of a composition on its own. Rating; 6/10
9. Candle - Opens with the most gorgeous guitar work you could imagine, then goes into good but standard DN. Wish they could have built the whole song round the intro. Rating: 10/10 (intro), 7/10 (main song)
10. Rain King - The most distorted, dischordant, challenging song and with the exception of Providence the least conventional. Screaming, burning, angry, excellent. Rating: 8/10
11. Kissability - Good lyrically, somewhat insubstantial musically until the last few seconds. Some of the moments of brilliance on DN are somewhat fleeting, while less inspired moments can be drawn out. Rating: 6/10
12. Trilogy - This song has everything you could want in its 14 minutes: straight-up rock, beauty, dischord, artiness - often all these at once. Rating: 10/10

This is the masterpeice of the 80s alternative / indie rock scene right after the Pixies' "Surfer Rosa" and "Zen Arcade" by Husker Du. Sonically, it is an incredibly raw and distorted album, sort of like Velvet Underground and the Stooges combined. The most impressive thing about this album is, despite its massive length of seventy minutes, it all works incredibly well, and is never, ever boring. Stunning masterpeice, the pinnicle of Sonic Youth's career.

Daydream Nation is my favorite album at the moment.It is a divine excursion into indie rock.Combining the usual noise with breathtaking melodic guitar solo's this is the ultimate art rock album.All songs are great,no superb! The album starts of with an unforgettable 1,2,3,4 knock out that goes from sublime to indie rock heaven.

1: Teen Age Riot> probably the most famous track on the album.A true anthem for every rock fan.Combining fierce guitar work and the attacking drums of Steve Shelley with the revolutionary message of Thurston Moore.
2: Silver Rocket> pure punk rock with an unbelievable noise explosion in the middle of the track. Again combining the instrumental genius of the band with strong lyrics sung by Thurston Moore.
3: The Sprawl: Like the title says,this is a sprawling track.Starting of as seemingly a regular rock song,it then changes after about 3 minutes into a hauntingly beautiful feedback of guitars with Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore playing superb here.Brings tears to your eyes,but it has to be heard a couple of times to really appreciate it.
4: 'Cross the Breeze: welds into the prior song so easily that both songs can be seen as one. this track though is Sonic Youth at their very best.Combining perfect guitar work (just before Kim Gordon starts singing there is one of the most brilliant guitar riffs in music history) with the screaming voice of Gordon (I wanna know!!!).Absolute great lyrics also: Let's go walkin' on the water, now you think I'm Satan's daughter... has got three sections really,an opening instrumental part,the singing mid section and a vicous instrumental finale.It ends just like it starts.7 minutes of rock perfection!
5: Eric's Trip: Sounds less great to me than it is,since you've just been blown away by the first 4 songs.Still,it is a great rock song with the usual speaking voice of Lee Ranaldo.Very noisy and very trippy.
6: Total Trash: Just like all the other songs on this album,it has surprises.Starting of as a "standard" rock song it goes down into an unbelievable noise jam in the mid section.Pure improvised trash by the masters of noise rock.
7: Hey Joni: Raunching rock song with strong and attacking guitar work.Again great lyrics sung by Ranaldo.
8: Providence: Seen by a lot of people as the lesser song of the album.Not correct! It is very dreamy and very experimental with beautiful piano sound and a stormy background combined with hallucinating words.
9: Candle: Starts off beautifully calm and stays that way for quitte a while,but it isn't calm at all.Yet,in comparison with the other tracks it looks that way.
10: Rain King: Brilliant exploding start and it doesn't back down one bit.Superb floating voice by Lee Ranaldo and guitars.
11: Kissability: If there was ever one slightly lesser song on the album then I think it's this one.Maybe a little bit to commercial in comparison with the other tracks.Looks in that way a bit like Bubblegum on the EVOL album.Still, a great song.
12: Trilogy: The perfect closer.Like all masterpieces in music this album ends with a masterpiece of it's own.A long epic track that lasts 14 minutes and contains 3 levels.A hard rocking opening (The Wonder),a post rock like mid section (Hyperstation) and a vicious and raw finale (Eliminator Jr.).

Daydream Nation is seen as one of the musical milestones of the eighties and quite rightly so.It combines different styles of rock music although always concentrating on underground indie rock.Therefore,it is not as famous as commercial albums of that time.Even worse,not a lot of people know of this album which is a shame.Sonic Youth were not just innovators,they were top of the bill.Together with Velvet Underground (and maybe Pink Floyd) they are the most important rock band in history,no doubt about that for me.They laid the path for bands like Nirvana and paid the price for it,since they remained pretty unknown in mainstream music world.If you listen to this album though,you can hear the importance of the band on all future rock bands as did The VU in the late sixties.Sonic Youth is my favorite band and Daydream Nation is their absolute masterpiece.Listen to it a couple of times to discover the secrets and become captivated by it's brilliance.
For everyone who loves rock music!!!

I can't describe the total grip this album had on me when I first bought. At the time I was a complete XTC fan. I got hooked on this the first time I listened to it. I was in college at the time and it sounded like I felt. Slow guitar intros into mindbending songs where little snippets of lyrics/truth can be made out. Little bits of truth/lyrics keep coming through the static haze of the songs. Its as if Sonic Youth were there with me on my journey peering into the darkness/abyss and describing it and guiding me. This album continues to surprise me, noone else will ever come close to this sound. I sometimes feel the power and surge of the guitars on this album are the best ever recorded or maybe I was just high. This is Sonic Youth at full power barrelling down the highway, heading off the cliff into the abyss .... thanks for the ride. Anyway, If you are a new fan get this and Sister and Thousand Leaves.

the strength of sonic youth is their ability to blend the avant-garde and experimental aspects of their roots in the no wave scene active in new york in the late seventies, along with their more recent free jazz influences, with brilliant pop song structure and form. they take the energy and sincerety of early punk rock and experimental pioneers, and use it to make accessible pop gems, and no album more successfully bridges these two worlds as daydream nation. sitting at the crux of their earlier, more dissonant and experimental work released on independent labels in the 80s and their subsequent move into the pop world and the mass market with their jump to a major label in the early 90s, daydream nation is the height of their career. the song forms are extended and intricate, but buried inside them are beautiful pop hooks and engaging lyrics. the intricate interplay between guitarists thurston moore and lee ranaldo is nothing short of magical, as is the way songs dissolve and coalesce, flowing smoothly from noisy jam to concise melodies. the album is also extremely well balanced in mood, moving from energetic rockers ('Cross the Breeze, Eric's Trip), to more poignant reflective moments (Candle, The Wonder). throughout however, sonic youth maintains an integrity and strength of conviction that is impossible to ignore, and translates into some of the most convincing music ever. this album is definately a must have for anyone who is a serious music fan, no matter what your favorite genre is.