The latest Sonic Youth, "Rather Ripped", is as straightforward record as you'd expect. Sonic Youth seems to have gained enough confidence in their sound and style to permit a record of mostly five minute songs that get to the point. I like longer songs and the instrumental ramblings, and Sonic Youth has had their fair share, but this release of shorter and tighter songs is really good.
"Rather Ripped" gets down to business immediately into the first track and moves along song by song. "Rather Ripped" has more accessible songs than past releases without giving up Sonic Youth's unique sounds and stylings. At first listen, one song stuck out as my favorite right away and was worried that the rest was just going to be average. But I was quickly drawn into more of the CD with each listen. After a while "Rather Ripped" stands out as being very good. All the things I most appreciate about Sonic Youth is exhibited and fans will not be disappointed.






