13. SONIC YOUTH - Daydream Nation
Enigma, 1988/DGC, 1993
What separates this album from Thurston, Kim and co.'s prior attempts to blend noize and pop (Evol, the irreproachable Sister, etc.) is that on Daydream Nation, even the noise jams are kinda catchy. Of those albums to come, Goo and Dirty are all shine and no grime, those other few '90s ones really aren't worth mentioning save for a few standout tracks, and beyond that dudes ('n' dudette) mellowed way out - and, despite releasing a couple old-folk-type gems into the aughts, Daydream Nation really stands as this band's last purely successful foray into that brand of damaged art-pop they so notoriously ushered into existence (except they didn't actually, but at least they were really good at it). The leadoff track, "Teen Age Riot," was the very first Yoof song I ever heard, and what an introduction; as an album's (nay, a band's) thesis statement, it don't get much more concise. Lee's songs are among his best-ever (see perennial live favorite "Eric's Trip" and call me in the morning), and Kim's are not only palatable but good - "Kissability" remains one of my favorite SY songs of all time. And for an album with such a perfect opener, the closer is no slouch either: the mind-melting "Trilogy" burns barns and brains alike. Not much to be said about this one that hain't already been seared into your indie rock noggin, so I'll just leave it at that. But seriously, can you believe how good this record still sounds? Ain't no joke.
WATCH: Sonic Youth - "Silver Rocket", live on Night Music, 1989
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