The Eternal

After a few listens this album is really growing on me. The music has a lot of swing and urgency compared to their more recent work. It's lighter and less melancholic, but no less engaging on an emotional level. The guitar work is sparkling and the band is on fine vocal form, especially Kim. The opening three tracks are magic, rip roaring along into a middle few songs employing the sonic's craft and wit to great effect. The last three tracks are stellar, as the soul of the album slowly gives way to the belief that beauty and transcendence are within reach. It's good stuff I reckon.

Sonic Youth are back, sharing songwriting duties out as usual, playing almost exclusively in 4/4 time as usual, alternately tuned as usual, using the same 2 chord verses as usual, doing it their way as usual... and doing it really well.

There aren't really any new ideas here, but all the ideas are really good. Don't think of this as more of the same, think of it as the point that all the previous Sonic Youth albums were leading up to. It isn't groundbreaking, but that's because they've already done all the groundbreaking, they've learned the lessons, now they're just giving us the culmination of all that hard work. And that culmination is 12 new songs, forged out of that Sonic Youth formula, but every second of it is purposeful, every second dripping in sonic pleasure. There are no 10 minute white noise interludes here. Every part of every song is resonant, every guitar chord, every harmony, every note, every feedback squeal is sublime. And every time I listen to it, it sounds different, sounds like I'm hearing it for the first time, makes me think, "I don't recognise this song..."

This is the sound of a truly professional band. It's a masterclass. Effortless, precise, imaginative. Walkin' Blue is definitely the best track on here - instantly one of the best Sonic Youth songs ever - but every single one of the rest are very close behind.

I don't know now, whether to give it 4 or 5 stars. I don't give 5 very often, and I was thinking about giving it 4, but I feel bad since two people have given it 5 already. Also, what really constitutes a 5 star album? A simple definition would be one on which you like all the songs - which I do. I like them quite a lot. It's just hard to quantify your fondness for a product I've only had for a couple of weeks - especially when you consider that I've had the other Sonic Youth albums for years. Is it too soon to decide I like it that much? Am I being too cautious? Can I put it on an equal footing with Goo and Washing Machine? Eh, why not. 5 it is.

After only a few listens so far I'm very pleased with this album. From the opening track 'Sacred Trickster' right through to 'Massage The History' just about every tune is a winner.

On the whole, The Eternal quite simply rocks. The tunes are catchy and melodic with just enough edge, although overall a lot less dissonant than what we have come to expect from Sonic Youth.

In some ways this is as close to a 'pop' album we're likely to hear by them ... but don't let that put you off.

Some stand-out tunes include:

- Sacred Trickster
- Leaky Lifeboat
- What We Know
- Calming The Snake
- Malibu Gas Station
- Thunderclap for Bobby Pyn

Although I expect the likes of Daydream Nation and Dirty will always be personal favourites of mine, The Eternal is a very welcome addition indeed, and surely one of their best albums for a while.