Rate The Musician/Artist #28 - Sonic Youth

[El Fangel]

Upon request from WeX, we have

Sonic Youth

http://www.groundcontroltouring.com/CAT/sonicyouth/gallery/promo/SonicYouthPhoto2006.jpg

Sonic Youth is an American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) alternative rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock) band formed in New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City) in 1981. Since 1985, the band's line-up has consisted of Thurston Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moore), Lee Ranaldo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ranaldo) (both vocals and guitar), Kim Gordon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordon) (bass guitar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar), guitar and vocals) and Steve Shelley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Shelley) (drums (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drums)). From 2000 to 2005 Jim O'Rourke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_O%27Rourke_%28musician%29) became a full-time member as a multi-instrumentalist. Before Shelley, Sonic Youth went through several drummers, including Bob Bert (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bert), Richard Edson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Edson) and Jim Sclavunos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Sclavunos).
In their early career, Sonic Youth were associated with the No Wave (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Wave) art and music scene in New York City. Part of the first wave of American noise rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rock) groups, the band carried out their interpretation of the punk rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock) ethos throughout the evolving American indie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_%28music%29) underground that focused more on the DIY ethic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethic) of the genre rather than its specific sound. They have found moderate mainstream success, and are generally seen as one of the leading alternative rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock) groups of their time.
Their inspirations were the likes of the guitar symphonies of Glenn Branca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Branca) (with whom most of the band have performed), the heavy protopunk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protopunk) of The Stooges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges), The Velvet Underground (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground), and MC5 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC5), the punk poetry of Patti Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smith), the Krautrock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krautrock) of Can (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_%28band%29), the psychedelic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic) garage rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_rock) of The 13th Floor Elevators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Floor_Elevators), as well as avant-garde (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avant-garde) composers like John Cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cage). Sonic Youth were often praised for "redefining what rock guitar could do" using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tunings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scordatura), and preparing guitars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prepared_guitar) with objects like screwdrivers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screwdriver) to alter the instruments' timbre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre).


1) Jimi Hendrix - 91
2) David Bowie - 89
3) Johnny Cash - 87
4) Tupac - 85
5) Guns N' Roses - 83
6) Dio - 78
7) The Doors - 81
8) Dr. Dre - 77
9) Black Sabbath - 76
10) Metallica - 75
11) Pantera - 73
12) Garth Brooks - 68
12) Nine Inch Nails - 67
13) Wu Tang Clan - 64
14) Megadeth - 64
15) Anthrax - 62
16) The Killers - 61
17) Eminem - 60
18) Slayer - 60
19) Tenacious D - 59
20) NOFX - 59
21) U2 - 40
22) Staind - 31
23) Rihanna - 28
24) 50 Cent - 27

[El Fangel]

8.5/10

[ron the dial]

10

I shouldn't have to explain.

[FakeLaser]

500/10

[FakeLaser]

aka 10

[Kane Knight]

7. They're okay. Nothing against them, but not exactly a huge fan either. Good stuff and nothing overtly bad is worth something.

[ct2k]

7

Good but also pretty overrated

[KingofOldSchool]

7

[mitch_h]

10

One of the few bands who have remained awesome over 20 years.

[Skippord]

4

[ron the dial]

yr. dum

[Bazooka]

Upon request from WeX, we have

Sonic Youth

http://www.groundcontroltouring.com/CAT/sonicyouth/gallery/promo/SonicYouthPhoto2006.jpg

Sonic Youth is an American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) alternative rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock) band formed in New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City) in 1981. Since 1985, the band's line-up has consisted of Thurston Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moore), Lee Ranaldo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ranaldo) (both vocals and guitar), Kim Gordon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordon) (bass guitar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar), guitar and vocals) and Steve Shelley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Shelley) (drums (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drums)). From 2000 to 2005 Jim O'Rourke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_O%27Rourke_%28musician%29) became a full-time member as a multi-instrumentalist. Before Shelley, Sonic Youth went through several drummers, including Bob Bert (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bert), Richard Edson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Edson) and Jim Sclavunos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Sclavunos).
In their early career, Sonic Youth were associated with the No Wave (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Wave) art and music scene in New York City. Part of the first wave of American noise rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rock) groups, the band carried out their interpretation of the punk rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock) ethos throughout the evolving American indie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_%28music%29) underground that focused more on the DIY ethic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethic) of the genre rather than its specific sound. They have found moderate mainstream success, and are generally seen as one of the leading alternative rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock) groups of their time.
Their inspirations were the likes of the guitar symphonies of Glenn Branca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Branca) (with whom most of the band have performed), the heavy protopunk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protopunk) of The Stooges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges), The Velvet Underground (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground), and MC5 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC5), the punk poetry of Patti Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smith), the Krautrock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krautrock) of Can (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_%28band%29), the psychedelic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic) garage rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_rock) of The 13th Floor Elevators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Floor_Elevators), as well as avant-garde (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avant-garde) composers like John Cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cage). Sonic Youth were often praised for "redefining what rock guitar could do" using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tunings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scordatura), and preparing guitars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prepared_guitar) with objects like screwdrivers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screwdriver) to alter the instruments' timbre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre).


1) Jimi Hendrix - 91
2) David Bowie - 89
3) Johnny Cash - 87
4) Tupac - 85
5) Guns N' Roses - 83
6) Dio - 78
7) The Doors - 81
8) Dr. Dre - 77
9) Black Sabbath - 76
10) Metallica - 75
11) Pantera - 73
12) Garth Brooks - 68
12) Nine Inch Nails - 67
13) Wu Tang Clan - 64
14) Megadeth - 64
15) Anthrax - 62
16) The Killers - 61
17) Eminem - 60
18) Slayer - 60
19) Tenacious D - 59
20) NOFX - 59
21) U2 - 40
22) Staind - 31
23) Rihanna - 28
24) 50 Cent - 27


this whole system is fucked if the Wu only captured 64 points, and bands such as Garth Brooks and Guns & Roses defeated them. Wu tang Clan should be in the 90's sucka, number 1.

while I'm here... ill throw a 6 in for Sonic Youth.

[Skippord]

yr. dum
I get cranky when Megadeth gets the shaft

[Funky Fly]

Wow, I am actually pretty unfamiliar with this band.

I could use some recommended listening here, nuggas.

[ron the dial]

The album Daydream Nation seems to be the best place to start.

[ron the dial]

Goo and A Thousand Leaves are solid as well.

[Skippord]

I feel as though we should rate Alice In Chains

[Downunder]

4

Overrated twaddle.

and they have been around far too long to be calling themselves Sonic Youth

[O.G Loc]

3. I hate sonic youth; as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee

[FakeLaser]

Kill Yr. Idols

[FakeLaser]

Expressway to Yr. Skull

[Cactus Sid]

10/10

One of the bands that made me want to look past the "norm" and listen to other branches of music, great music, unique and influential. Love them.

[Kane Knight]

this whole system is fucked if the Wu only captured 64 points, and bands such as Garth Brooks and Guns & Roses defeated them. Wu tang Clan should be in the 90's sucka, number 1.


Oh shut the fuck up.

[El Fangel]

Oh shut the fuck up.
I was about to say that, but when i scrolled down you had already said it, thanks kind sir.

[FakeLaser]

We're gonna kiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllllllllllllllllllll the California Girlllllllll

[FakeLaser]

When the phone rang, 3 in the morn, dead middle of night
There was nothin on the line
I set back the silent receiver / tiny flames lit in my head
Hey, did any of you freaks here ever remember Lenny?
I can't remember his last name
He's turned to dust now, one of the chosen few
Left out in the rain, out of town again
Left out in the rain, ocean bound i guess

Between the mattress and a column of hazy faces
I remember every word you said
Quite a clear picture ev'ry word you said
The door was open but the way was not lit
And there was no way out of my head

On a crimson hiway by a chrome bumper I last saw you:
Alive / inclined to thrive / evening fireflies lit sparks around yr. head

But wait a minute let's back up a bit:
Some famous stars were busted by the thought police down on fashion avenue
Impersonating real men / not knowing who they really were
Now here at dark corners all is calm and quiet and good
The kids are up late dreaming quiet questions in a graceful mood:

Can you please pass me a jug of winter light?
Fold me in an ocean's whim?
In sweet corrosive fire light?
In the city made of tin?

Are you famous under the skin?
Familiar with the things you wanted?
Able now to take it all in?
Making peace with every hole in the story?

Did lightning keep you up all night?
Illuminate the soot and grit?
Can you tell how high the sky tonight?
Dig out from under in spite of it?

Can you cover up the one that floats?
Can you push back the hours?
I hear yr. voice, i speak yr name
Among New York City ghosts and flowers
Will we meet? To run again?
Through New York City ghosts and flowers

[Avenger]

1

do Springsteen next