SYR 1: Anagrama [EP]

Sonic Youth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 2, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Sonic Youth / Syr
• ASIN: B000005R7T
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,186 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Sonic Youth invested the money they earned as Lollapalooza headliners in 1995 in a new studio. Owning their own studio gave them the freedom to experiment as they were recording, since they no longer had to pay rental fees. To inaugurate their new studio, they set out to record a series of experimental instrumental EPs with engineer Wharton Tiers, all of which would be released on the quartet's own label. With its winding, elliptical improvised instrumentals, SYR 1 set the tone for the entire series. Musically, the EP isn't far removed from the instrumental sections on Sister or Daydream Nation, but this music isn't merely waves of feedback -- it's considered, detailed, and bizarrely accessible. Like the epic "The Diamond Sea," the four songs have shifting sonic colors, as simple riffs build and intertwine, crossing over each other before finding a new path. It's closer to avant-garde than rock, but the music isn't purely cerebral, either. Recognizable statements float in and out of the mix, providing something of a touchstone for the free-form explorations. SYR 1 also has brevity on its side. The EP lasts 25 minutes -- which is just enough time to provide an exciting blueprint for a new era of Sonic Youth. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not ear candy, March 5, 2003

By 

Daniel J. Hagerman "milkboydanny" (barnegat, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SYR 1: Anagrama (Audio CD)

this album is VERY different from anything i have heard. it is as if sonic youth wanted to return to their no wave roots. this album is a combination of classical music done with electric guitars or an orchestra using rock guitars. kimm gordon hs put down the bass and taken up guitar so now we have a three guitar no wave band. the music is not digested in one listen. it took me awhile to appreciate this.
funky effects over slightly distorted guitars. there are no vocals. it is all instrumental but the music is interesting enough to not miss voice. some of the songs are really pretty. out of all the syr discs, this, i think, is the most ear accesible. the drums do an awesome job of holding it all togehter but then again i never doubted steve shelly. he always was (and is) amazing.
again, i cannot stress enough that this is quite different so if your looking for something different then come on down and check this out.

[e-mail]

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bold new frontier, January 22, 2000

By 

"tksc" - See all my reviews

This review is from: SYR 1: Anagrama (Audio CD)

The first track, "Anagrama," may be a succinct summary of all that SY has done right with their last two albums, Washing Machine and 1000 Leaves. And when the drums finally kick music never sounded more glorious and frightening. Move over Zarathustra.

But contrasting the ethereal high of 'Anagrama' is the blatent and loud closer. The final track, "de corrosion," does just that. It is a maelstrom of flanged noises: pick scrapes and squeals, light snare, and even the perennial distorted rock chord. Are we looking at a taxonomy of sonic possibilities? Are these sounds to be taken as field studies for something more glorious? The flanger never sounded so fresh.

I think that it is fitting that Geffen has released SY from their contract just when the band is reaching new heights. Geffen can look for the next teen sensation and we'll stick with the youth.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best thing sonic youth has ever done, January 5, 2003

By 

"futurewave" - See all my reviews

This review is from: SYR 1: Anagrama (Audio CD)

fans of impressionist paintings would love this

this record, notably for track one, "anagrama", is my favorite record I own, no doubts. I love sonic youth, but understand that they are not for everyone. Anagrama is their pinnacle of listenability, it is the music for the dream of the story of your life. the two middle tracks seem to be schizophrenic variations/degradations of anagrama, until track four "mieux: de corrosion" which sounds to me like bombs being dropped on a car wash, with all the alarms of the cars going off. it is terrifying noise and is grandly irritating, which offsets the sheer beauty of the first track. while the fourth track is a gift to long-time sonic youth fans that have watched them evolve, the first track should be a gateway for those who have never heard SY before. No mix I make for someone lacks this song. it fits in nicely with the godspeed!, mogwai type of crescendo rock, but it is inherently beautiful and (along with SY's "unwind", "snare, girl" "beauty lies in the eye") is a wonderful testament to what sonic youth primarily does -- create something with noise that is no longer noise.