Robert J Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 (edited) Nice evening. It was in a venue they've performed at before in Toronto, probably 1000 -1200 people. It was not sold out. The Go Team! was the opener, but I missed them somewhat intentionally in my never-ending quest for free parking in downtown Toronto. (Which of course I did find, 6 streets away.) They opened with Teen Age Riot from Daydream Nation - a good move, as well as Eric's Trip a few later. The new stuff is not bad, and they played the whole album. I heard only samples of the Rather Ripped on the net, so I don't know all of the titles yet. Of course, I wanted selections from Dirty, but I can't pretend that 14 years have not passed. I think the new pop stuff isn't bad, just the lyrics have no urgency. During one of the lamer ones I felt I was listening to a bar band because Kim didn't really seem connected to the lyrics. However most of those tunes were saved by great instrumentals halfway through. They also had an extra bass player - former Pavement bassist Mark Ibold. This allowed more singing from Kim, in addition to her penchant for being a whirling Dervish. Also, she can be a sloppy bass player, so this guy helped the bottom end immensely. Still, Kim Gordon is a goddess at 53, and she can still delivers a potent sound from her voice. There was also some classic feedback noodling too. Each tune would bring out a different guitar from the techies (for both Lee and Thurston) because they have their special tunings. Of course, very loud, and of course, I had earplugs (just as in 92 when I saw them last - I am slightly deaf in my right ear due to a My Bloody Valentine concert and one of Steve Albini's bands in the late 80s/early 90s ). Those with bleeding ears and no earplugs started exiting the floor leaving me room to get more of a "safe" auditory assault about 6 people in. I always love when Lee Renaldo sings, plus his tunes are always perfect. I also realized that seeing him and Thurston on their guitars, they really don't do alot of "soloing". What I mean is, the leads are really them doing their chord patterns with their tuned guitars, in unison through feedback, so what sounds like solos are really well crafted and timed chord clusters. I also now know how Thurston gets the sound on Eric's Trip (drum stick is the left fretted hand). I even got back home to Oakville - 45 kms away - by midnight! Sonic Youth is one of the few (non-jazz) bands I enjoy seeing live, along with Mike Watt, the Pixies, Bob Mould and Fugazi. Edited August 10, 2006 by Robert J Quote
Big Al Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 I've been kicking myself for missing them on their recent stop in Dallas. Rather Ripped is one of my favorite albums of the year, if not THE favorite. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 I skipped the Austin show, as what I heard from the new one didn't really get me going. But I sort of lose interest after Dirty... a friend said they hardly played any "old" tunes at their gig here. Still, shit like "Death Valley '69" always gets my undies in a bunch (and especially the video for that one!)... Quote
Robert J Posted August 9, 2006 Author Report Posted August 9, 2006 A friend said they hardly played any "old" tunes at their gig here. Other than the one's I mentioned, that would be correct. No Dirty! Though they started to do "Nic Fit" at the encore, but shelved it. There was also "Schizophrenia" from Sister. I stopped buying CDs after the "Experimental Jet-set..." disc. I was suprised there was many people in their 20s there. I mean, there's no airplay in Toronto for Rather Ripped, so maybe the legend? Quote
clifford_thornton Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 Yeah, they really are a legend. A lot more staying power than others in similar category like YLT, Pavement, Stereolab... Goo really gets me going, though Dirty has held up rather well. Not so the NY Trilogy or Experimental Jet Set (yuck!). Quote
Robert J Posted August 9, 2006 Author Report Posted August 9, 2006 They'll be on Conan O'Brien tonight (Wednesday 9th) Quote
Robert J Posted August 9, 2006 Author Report Posted August 9, 2006 Still, shit like "Death Valley '69" always gets my undies in a bunch (and especially the video for that one!)... Long live Richard Kern and Lydia Lunch! Death Valley '69 Quote
clifford_thornton Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 Yeah, I love Kern's movies, and Lydia is amazing! My girlfriend disagrees on both counts, however... Quote
Dmitry Posted August 9, 2006 Report Posted August 9, 2006 Nice evening. It was in a venue they've performed at before in Toronto, probably 1000 -1200 people. It was not sold out. The Go Team! was the opener, but I missed them somewhat intentionally in my never-ending quest for free parking in downtown Toronto. (Which of course I did find, 6 streets away.) I bet you drove in slowly-expanding circles. Quote
Robert J Posted August 9, 2006 Author Report Posted August 9, 2006 I bet you drove in slowly-expanding circles. "Why should I pay, when if I apply myself, maybe I could get it for free" ("The Parking Space") My philosophy as well! As for last night, the venue is near some dance clubs by the lake. Parking was $20. A nice 5 minute walk back from Small Street underneath an overpass, netted me some exercise and peace of mind. Even the scalper commended my thriftyness. Quote
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