[kingcoffee]

Interesting "essay". I agree with you on some points. SY records aren't always immediatley likeable. Just becuase their music is more complex and down right different from what most people hear. Although, some songs I have immediately liked. More so once I became a Sonic Youth fan. And once being a Rather Ripped basher myself, I have begun to like the album more and more once I bagan really listening to it. I think the reason I was so innitially displeased with RR was that I was expecting an album that was along the lines of Sonic Nurse or Murray Street. Once I heard that it wasn't nearly the same kind of album (or any other Sy album to date) I was turned off. But a few weeks went by and I felt that I owed it to myself and above all to Sonic Youth to give the album another listen and discovered that it was pretty good. I still dislike parts of the album, but I don't dislike any full song, only parts of certain songs. I feel that they are lacking a little bit of something here and there. Sometimes I feel that if the band added a little bit more energy or an extra guitar part here or there (ya know, just a few little minor detail changes) the songs would come across much better. They would sound stronger and more confident; essentially more "Sonic Youth-y". In my opinion, it sounds like some of the songs are still in their infancy; the genesis of potentially awesome songs. But hey, it's the band's music and they can create whatever they want whether we like it or not. I will still continue to support Sonic Youth, one of my all time favorite bands, and give Rather Ripped more of a chance. It still sounds pretty decent. I just don't think it's one of their best works.