Nah. It's their best. It's their definitive work. It's like their Trout Mask Replica -- it may not be their best collection of songs, but it's their ultimate statement, definitely. Just by being a double album in the first place proves that the band thought highly of it and were setting out to create their masterpiece, and I think they succeeded. Personally, it's not in my top 5 sy albums, maybe not even in my top 10, but, judging the album for its importance and its inspiration... objectively speaking here... it's their best, by far, no contest. I think the only album that they've done that really was as important was (my personal favorite) Confusion is Sex, just because there'd really never been anything like it before. Daydream is the archetype; it's the sound people identify SY with, it's the sound that they themselves haven't really escaped from.. mainly because it's such a diverse album, stylistically, with punkier songs like Eliminator Jr and more beautiful songs like "Candle"... actually, I love this album just for TRILOGY alone -- that's probably why the album is ranked so highly, because that whole thing is just incredible. It's the album that really showed them coming into their own, and I think it's the one that all their fans can reccomend to anyone. Whether you're more of a fan of their early stuff or their late stuff...

Flaws? Well, it's their longest, so it's not completely perfect, it's maybe a chore to get through at times, but it also has their most brilliant moments on it. It's the first one that really hooked most people, and it's their best balance of noise and melody. Just amazing guitar interplay (listen to "Cross the Breeze", probably their best song; also listen to "Hey Joni".. some of the best interplay ever!).

It's just the shit.

Going back to my Trout Mask Replica example, I definitely think it's Beefheart's most overrated, and I wish people would focus on his other albums, but it's the most important album of all time, it created its own language, and has inspired thousands of bands, and created new forms of rock genres; a record label like Skin Graft couldn't exist without TMR.

In the same way, I think Daydream Nation might be "overrated" as far as SY albums go, but that's only because they've released so many great albums. Overall though, I think it's definitely one of the most important albums of all time, and it's probably the only album since Trout Mask (except for maybe a Residents album or two and Wire's "Pink Flag") that really created its own language... its the one that said "why is everyone tuning to standard? Let's tune to some fucked up ridiculous tuning -- and craft catchy, melodically pleasing, brilliant songs out of it!" Arguably, Sister did the melody-fused-with-detuned-instrumentation thing better, but the production on Sister is terrible. Actually come to think of it, Daydream Nation is their first really-well-produced album (and in some ways, it's still their best production -- okay, those Butch Vig albums are, but those are TOO clean... I don't think vocals have ever sounded better on an SY album).

So... creating its own musical language and universe, inspiring thousands of bands, possibly crafting new genres, and boasting a good 70 minutes of brilliant music... I dunno, I can't really call it overrated anymore. It's just too important of an album -- where would music be without it?

It's kinda like Nirvana. I've never really many people whose favorite album was Nevermind -- but 99% can agree it was their most important.

been drinking today?

in greek you have a different word for "penis"?

in our language it says the same, although the language itself is completely different to english.

sometimes i can't believe the things I discuss on this forum.

yes, penis. that's the official/medicine term. we call it differently though, in a non-formal way.

same word in french too!

I quite like it, though I'm not sure I like it the way it was initially intended to be liked. What I mean is that there's this almost nostalgic, "retro-futuristic" thing to the synths in it, which gives it a special charm - a bit like in Oneohtrix Point Never's music. But whereas the nostalgic/melancholic thing is clearly intentional in OPN's music, I'm not sure it was the case with Arpanet when this track was released. I like it nonetheless, though it's a bit too long and repetitive...

I'm trying to convince Emmah to come back for the day, i miss her :-(

that would make this forum awesome again

yeah, do that. emmah was way cool.

that track is from the beginning of the decade. I have this album somewhere on my old harddrive, I used to listen to it quite a lot. Sounds very 80s electro to me, cold and bleak. unique music.

Daydream Nation is my favourite Sonic Youth record and possibly my favourite ever. I don't listen to it very often anymore and when I do I don't feel much for it but in terms of influence it's had on me, the sentimental value can't overlook that. It was one of the first 'weird' albums I heard when I was 12 years old and it really opened my mind. I became into more esoteric stuff after that and ditched my old Megadeth albums (though looking back I could see why I liked them so much).

You were not 17 having to live in the throes of HAIR metal supremacy, before the "grunge" thing, with milli vamnilli ruling airwaves, when Daydream nation came out.

Daydream nation changed my life. It changed a lot of people's lives. Your opinion is fine for you man, but to say you wish oTHER peopel woudl stop using an album they love as their "defining" moment is pretty childish.

One's defining moment is what it is.

Oh man this board is too damn funny.

why is it a cornerstone?
why should it be any more important than any of their other albums?
cuz it was the last indie album?
so what?
nobody talks about the importance of Destroyed Room being their last major label album.
Nobody talks about sucks off The Eternal for being their first indie album again.
WHY is it a cornerstone?
If I were them, I'd rather be remembered for a better album considering they've done way cooler shit.
Why would they want their almost 30 year career to be summed up by one album made so long ago?

I think EVOL is their ultimate statement. If I want to describe to somebody what SY "sounds" like, I just put that on. I mean, "Tom Violence" alone should sum that shit up.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA you're telling me I'm being CHILDISH about musical opinions? Fuckign priceless Rob.

All I'm saying is I wish people would maybe praise Evol, Confusion, Murry St, Destroyed Room, Whitey ALbum, even f';ing DIRTY or really any other SY album a bit more instead of always sucking off DDN.

for soemone who started crying when I said I do not like techno.......


as if techno was your godhead or something...I never said you should NOT like it, or that you are wrong for liking it, like you said about daydream nation dig?


daydream antion is the greatest SY album. It encompasses everything they are about. It encapsulates their entire musical language in one tidy 2 LP package.

you weren;'t around so you do not understand.

IT SHOOK THE FUCKING MUSICAL WORLD man

Steve Albini himself called it the greatest guitar record ever. (when it came out of course, which was when he said this quote)

Daydream nation forever!!!!!!!!!

Rob, I never defended techno, so I'm not sure where my "crying" came from?

also, the whole "you weren't around you woulnd't understand" is just really fucking weak. It's like yr trying to say "I'm right because I'm older than you."

also also, I'm not try to devalue DDN's historical imporance. But I am saying it's not their best album, so I'd like to hear more people cite other albums instead of just glossing over their career and pointing to DDN like it's the greatest thing ever.

also also also, who cares if Albini said that? Neil Young said "Expressway" is the greatest guitar song. And I'm sure other people have said other stuff.

So you're saying that you're incapable of enjoying a record because too many people are into it?

no not at all.I think I've made it a point to mention a few times that I like the record. I'm just saying that people make it out to be the band's crowning achievement, which I don't think it is. I think they've recorded better albums and more interesting albums.

ohmigod how many times on this forum is the daydream nation debate needed?

the anti ddn crew will never change their minds and neither will the pro ddn crew (oh and before i get pounced on i mean pro/anti in the loosest way, merely to describe two sides of a clearly VERY COMPLEX AND IMPORTANT debate).

i think its interesting how much it divides people though. i mean we're all on here cause we're sonic youth fans. but we all argue about sonic youth all the fucking time. LOLZZ

Ddn Rulz Yall

RULZ


and Expressway to Yr skull is indeed the or one of the, greatest guitar songs ever

I also happen to respect and admire the Albini man, and his opinion holds much weight with me. he puts his money and his talent where his mouth is.

Nicest guy ever met at a show, next to steve shelley.

I think EVOL is better than Daydream Nation.

Sister too...

we all have our faves.

Mine just happens to be DDN

you folks slay me. Thank God that I can barely tell the difference between music genre, let alone defining statements, absolutes etc. All I know is do I like it or don't I it's a simple as that. Sonic Youth as a band has continued to grow and change for over 30 years how can an album cut in year 7 define them is beyond me. The fact that they continue to change and tinker with there sound is what makes them the best. The Rolling Stones one of the best rock and roll bands of my times hasn't cut a significant album since 72's Exile on Main St. Thankfully I can't say the same about SY.

ahhh, but what album would you, a fan, choose to define The Stones?

we all pick different ones no?

I don't think there is an album that defines the stones. Maybe ones that define certain eras but not their entire history. Same with SY.

where's a good place to start with the rolling stones, the best 1st album to buy?

Rolled Gold

I like Sticky Fingers. I don't like a lot of Stones albums though.

i only have one song

Moonlight Mile

my parents were never stones fans, at all

know what's a great song? "Backstreet Girl." I think it's on FLOWERS. I heard Evan Dando cover it once live and it killed me.

Sticky fingers, closely followed by Beggars banquet.

Back to topic I like how screamingskull injects some life back into the board lately ;)

Most of my favorite songs remind me of a certain time in my life.

I've noticed that girls typically do inject the most life in this board. For example, Artsy consistently posts the most interesting threads imo.

he's just a bitter old cunt. he's a good bitch though.