What's the best Sonic Youth album? Best one to start with?

Question

What's the best Sonic Youth album? Best one to start with?

Answer 1

I started with Goo and it worked out great for me. Tough one though, what other stuff are you into?

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Wow, I wasn't expecting anyone to agree with me. I think Huevo laid it out really well (a bit more accessible, but still distinctly Sonic Youth). Goo is a good place to get into it and then kind of fan out in both directions. If not Goo, Dirty has similar qualities, but I also agree with Huevo that Daydream Nation is the best. I think though that it's a record that you'll want to say, stretch out your stomach for the big meal though.

Answer 2

Daydream Nation is easily the best, but I don't know exactly which album to start with.

Answer 3

Best album is hard to say but for now I'd say most albums they had prior to "Sister" were some of their best ones. However probably the best is where I'd start with. They combined their first album with their 2nd ep called "Confusion is s*x/Kill YR. Idols" which had them at their most intense & primal besides in their rawest form, this where people can see Sonic Youth transforming from an artsy No Wave band to a loud but nonetheless great & artsy Noise/Grunge band. If you want to capture Sonic Youth at their most purest form I would recommend that album on cd which as I said combines their first album with their second ep. Their first ep was OK--more No Wave, but even while it was No Wave(Not New Wave)--even while it was No Wave, it was pretty mellow No Wave, but like I said their first album "Confusion is s*x" combined with their second ep "Kill Yr. Idols"--those 2 combined on 1 cd is what I'd definitely recommend as the best & where to start, otherwise I'd go with their compilation/best of kind of albums to start with, if not. Here's an example of a track off of their split album/ep cd called "Confusion is s*x/Kill Yr. Idols", here's a track called "Inhuman"-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1JJmI1Qh...

Here's another track off of it also, called--"Brother James"--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaxBzqCSU...

Which before I forget to mention getting that first album & 2nd ep together on 1 cd is getting a great deal, not to mention someone gets to see musical history as someone can hear a band changing from No Wave to Noise/Grunge--it's an experimental experiment of real Rock-n-Roll art coming to one's ears & a delight to hear, not to mention also it helps prove that true Grunge is Noise that came from No Wave besides the originator & godfather of Grunge himself Neil Young. "Goo" is a good album too, but I would definitely recommend starting with the "Confusion is s*x/Kill Yr. Idols" split album/ep cd.

Answer 4

To me the best is easily Daydream Nation, a masterpiece of epic guitar work which is often recognized as one of the top 100 albums of all time.  Saying that, however, I'll agree that Goo is probably the best starting point as it's a little more accessible yet still maintains a unique creative side.  Check out all the albums though, they all have something to offer (except for NY Ghosts and Flowers which I found to pretty much suck).

Edit:  I like that Prof......stretch out your stomach for the big meal though........very well said.

Answer 5

The first album I got was Daydream Nation. It took me a while to get into it. I think Goo is the most accesible and it still shows some of their crazyness. From there, If you like Goo, I reccomend Daydream Nation. It is truly a masterpiece.

Whatever you do, don't listen to their really early albums first. I love them now, but i'm sure if i had heard , for example, Bad Moon Rising first, i probably would have never listened to them again. Definitly start with Goo, and work youur way back...or forwards. Whatever you want to do.

Answer 6

Confusion is s*x

Answer 7

finally someone who likes this band

I also started with goo

Answer 8

A Sonic Youth fan!!

I would also recommend starting with Goo. Although I love Daydream Nation I don't think a beginner would appreciate it as much as a long time listener. Goo gets right to the point of what Sonic Youth is all about and it has some great tunes so I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Answer 9

Goo is a good one to get a solid introduction to the band.  My favorite is a Bad Moon Rising which came out five years before Goo.

Answer 10

Washing Machine

Evol

Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star.

NYC Ghosts and Flowers is a good one, it leaves the listener with a creepy vibe that no other album has quite done.

The concerts on that tour were hypnotic and subduing. Every audience member left with an un-easy feeling in the bottom of their stomach, the performances (which were more of like experiments) accomplished what what clearly intended.