Monday's Long Songs

 

In the early 1980's, SST Records was the American label that had the best bands of the time under contract. I could name a lot (or will do it in another series) but I'll settle for just one today, namely Sonic Youth.

SY were formed in 1981 by founding members Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon and I got aware of them by their third album EVOL. For their groundbreaking album Daydream Nation they were signed by SST and it is still a masterpiece of guitar and noise rock featuring great melodies. On this record they moved away from their punk/garage roots and defined guitar playing new. Over all, Kim Gordon's crystal clear voice is the perfect contrast to Moore's guitar excursions. 

Sonic Youth - The Sprawl

Sonic Youth - 'Cross The Breeze

Music For Houseworks

 

I have already mentioned several times that I am not a big fan of radio programmes. But from time to time I treat myself to this to make some housework more bearable.  Recently, an Austrian radio station ran a long feature about new female groups. I was amazed at how many new bands there were that needed to be talked about.

First of them are eat-girls, a post-punk band from Lyon, France. Their sound embraces pop, post-punk, kraut, minimal synths and some dub and their vocals remind me Kim Gordon, Flying Lizards and a bit of Siouxie. 3 Omens has also a hypnotic beat that you cannot escape. Chapeau.

Girlband! are a three piece female band from Nottingham and shows some rebellious girls. Starting their alternative rock as another DIY-band, playing at private house concerts until the police came and stopped them. Nothing more than another Courtney Love inspired music but fresh, charming and on a high indie-pop niveau.

Monday's Long Song

 

33 years ago Sonic Youth released their masterpiece Daydream Nation in alternative music from the 80's. They started as another band from the no-wave and noise corner in New York and soon showed that Thurston Moore, Lee Ronaldo and Kim Gordon are much more than average. Daydream Nation was their finalization of alternative rock before they moved to a major label. This album is still played at my home when I am in mood for great guitar music from the post new wave era and Teenage Riot is the best example how great music was made at these times-

Smoke Of Dreams

Thurston Moore released his latest album Rock 'n' Roll Consciousness a few days ago. After the split of Sonic Youth and the divorce of Kim Moore he made a record to find himself in music. Moore made an album that absorb his very own influence from GBGB's, grunge, Ramones, Nirvana and collage radio. This album is more Sunday morning than Saturday evening what means that in is more calm than noisy. I like the influence of psychedelic sounds in his music and after listening to this record I am looking forward to see him live on Maifeld Derby a few weeks ahead.