Sonic Youth Album: “Washing Machine”

Washing Machine is great Sonic Youth. Although I'd personally go with Daydream Nation or Sister first, Washing Machine might be a good way for those new to the group to become introduced. The production is raw, but the sound is more clear which adds to the music. "Becuz" is a great opener with its incredibly catchy chords while "Junkie's Promise," the title track, and "Skip Tracer" are all great songs. But of course, "The Diamond Sea" is worth the price of the album. See all these reviews hyping it up? Well, believe the hype. It's amazing. Definitely one of my fav. Sonic Youth tracks. Twenty minutes of melody that spirals into chaotic noise. Brilliant. Every fan of Sonic Youth must own this song. Even without it, Washing Machine is a great album so definitely give this a spin.

There are about a million reasons to buy this record, and they're all good reasons. But the most important one is the final track. "The Diamond Sea" is their swan song...the complete fulfillment and summarization of a long and evolved career of beautiful sound.

There is an ultimate theme of innocence and simplicity on this 1995 release from the ever-evolving Sonic Youth. On the albums opener, the indifferent caution of "Becuz," Kim Gordon simply chants "Because of you, Because of you..." but yet somehow manages to imply a greater depth to such a vauge statement. On the title-track "Washing Machine," Kim proudly brags "I take my baby down to the corner, & i buy him a soda pop." going on to narrorate a story of the clouds parting, & a woman in the sky flipping a quater down at her, bluntly comanding "honey, here's a quater, go put it in a washing machine." as guitars squeal & spiral around her. And from there, the band takes you by the hand & leads you through hazey acid trips of songs, talking of sundry eyes, and love being the ticket to paradise. And climaxing with the spoken-word appearance by Lee of "Skip Tracer" and then slowly falling into the 20 minute epic of "The Diamond Sea" which burys you in dreamy imagery & an airless floating riff, with the occassional spell of violent crashing guitar distortion, And leaves you marooned as it whirls away & fades out.

WASHING MACHINE returns Sonic Youth to the ringing electric guitars, clever songwriting and multi-layered arrangements that are the band's calling card. Not the casual acoustic sigh of its predecessor, EXPERIMENTAL JET SET, TRASH AND NO STAR, WASHING MACHINE's electricity gives Sonic Youth new life.

With its sprawling guitar noise, "The Diamond Sea" recalls the GOO-era "Mote," proving that the crunching metallic waves that once made Sonic Youth so impressive are back. "Junkie's Promise" trembles with distortion and shimmering melodic phrases, while "Saucer-Like" brings the band's clamoring two-guitar dynamic back into focus. This is the band's triumph--their sound is easier to digest, and invites the listeners to re-examine their strengths.

WASHING MACHINE is also a return to form in terms of songwriting. "Panty Lies" continues Kim Gordon's hipster manifesto series, giving us another glimpse of the world from her perspective--"oh how rude," she sneers, "at least I got your attention, square." "Skip Tracer" hints at Sonic Youth's position as baby-sitters for the next generation of alternative rockers, but isn't condescending. In fact, it's one of the best moments on the album. A description of a singer "shouting the poetic truths of high school journal takers" exemplifies the age gap between Sonic Youth and the new generation, but it doesn't alienate them. It's just such awareness that makes WASHING MACHINE work. Sonic Youth's respect for the scene they helped create will forever keep them on top of the indie heap.

This Sonic Youth album is one of the best. It has a perfect balance of Sonic Youth's hard garage punk sound, and their more etheral ambient experimentation. It you kow you like Sonic Youth already, you will most likely dig this album. If you have never heard Sonic Youth, this album is a good overall picture of their entire discography.