Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped

Sonic Youth with what many consider their most accessible album and first album without multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke. 'Rather Ripped' features an abundance of concise songs dealing with melancholic topics such as adultery, sexual frustration, and infidelity. Reena and Jams Run Free are equal parts dreamy and driving, while The Neutral is a sweet, low-key love song. The more atmospheric songs end up being some of the most compelling. Lights Out reeks of whispery, late-night cool, and the closing track, Or, is one of the meanest and most oddly unnerving songs Sonic Youth has done in a while.