sonic nurse definitely. not only the best of these, but the best sonic youth album ever. rather ripped 2nd, nice but they can do that kind of album in their sleep. murray street 3rd, something wrong with the vocals there, making songs not really memorable.

the lyrics on the chorus for pattern recognition bother me too much. i fell like im listening to you got the touch. i still really love this song a lot though.

Shma israel, my rating of the albums are the exact opposite of the total votes!

I was looking for this thread becuz its a great topic an di didnt get to respond when it was initially around.

I vote
1. Sonic Nurse
2.Murray Street
3.Rather Ripped

Sonic Nurse is really the best record theyve done since washing machine, great songwriting with some great noise injected into the songs. Murray Street is goodbut can be a tad too mellow at times. Rather Ripped I felt was only half a good record.

RR
SN
MS

Sorry RR has alot more fonder memories plus my ex who wast into SY had to pick up the album because of me!!!

1-nurse
2-murray st.
3-rather ripped

Murray Street, hands down.

Diffecult man,
It suprises me that many people rank murray street as third, to me the first two song empty page and disconection notice in particular are my favorite songs but to be honest I like them all the same, maybe Sonic Nurse indeed if I had to choose one but... I just cannot choose

I dont think any of those albums suck cock or whatever the put-downs are for RR or even Murray Street?! Sonic Nurse is barely the winner, but it is the best in my opinion. From the Richard Prince artwork to the ending Peace Attack, brilliance. Aesthetic, sounds and all, it's a real killer on the art block. The only reason I think RR is slightly lacking (nothing to ruin it for me) is the obvious absense of mr. o'rourke. Less noisy but more killer tracks. final notes: Murray Street is one motherfucking memorable record!

...NYC GHOSTS AND FLOWERS is my real favorite, though.

yeah it's not the best obviously... most people resent 'new' stuff but they have gotten older and a bit more mellow.. and they are known to change their style alot so... yea.

Rather Ripped is a rock 'n' roll album--like Dirty. It succeeds at being what it was meant to be: catchy and tuneful rock 'n' roll, and contains all very memorable numbers. Don't say you like The Stooges, MC5, original Alice Cooper, etc. if you don't like Rather Ripped--especially "Sleepin' Around", which reeks of "No Fun".

Having said that, Murray St. and Sonic Nurse certainly have their moments as well, but in a very different manner. Comparing Rather Ripped to these two records is like comparing Dirty or Goo to Sister and Daydream Nation--not exactly apples and oranges, but at least apples and pears, or oranges and tangerines.