In 2004 the Irish rock band U2 released "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". The album's first single "Vertigo" sounded vaguely familiar with Sonic Youth fans. It should have because the guitar riff was borrowed from Sonic Youth's "Dirty Boots". "Dirty Boots" appeared on the 1990 benchmark alternative music album "Goo". That is 14 years before U2 would ever think of using a Sonic Youth song as their own. It just goes to show how influential this band is to the world of rock and roll.
With the reissue of Sonic Youth's 1990 album "Goo", fans new and old get to relive a time when alternative rock was king. The deluxe edition of the "Goo" comes packed full of rarities, B sides, out-takes, rehearsals, and 8 track demos. The original album is not forgotten its has been re-mastered, and sounds better than ever.
"Goo" was Sonic Youth's major label debut. At the time many thought the band did away with their experimental, noise roots for a more friendly major label sounding album. It turns out this is not the case. Songs like "Dirty Boots", "Tunic (Song for Karen)", "Kool Thing", and "Mary Christ" have become classics among the band's fan base.
The added bonus material are what makes this edition essential. Several previously unreleased tracks make a well deserved appearance. "Lee # 2" , is a more bouncy pop song with a Sonic Youth twist sung by Lee Ranaldo, it is a departure from the more noise songs he usually sings.
The band known for their experimental instrumentals does it again here with "The Bedroom" and "Can Song". It is easy to hear with these songs where Kurt Cobain learned that distortion and feedback are essential if used the right way. Along with instrumentals "Goo-Deluxe Edition" also features Sonic Youth covering some of their favorite songs. "That's All I Know (Right Now)" is a Neon Boys song. Here, Thurston Moore channels the spirit of punk icon Richard Hell, and the sound is uncanny. "I Know There is an Answer", a Beach Boys song, is twisted and fuzzed out to sound more like a Sonic Youth song more than anything else. Brian Wilson would be proud.
The 8 track demos though are reason enough to get this edition. The demos of the entire "Goo" album were given out to their fan-club before the original album was released, and have been widely bootlegged ever since. Now every fan can experience "Goo" in its infant stages. There is a pre-Chuck D version of "Kool Thing", expanded versions of "Dirty Boots", and "Mildred Pierce" give the original album cuts a run for their money.
Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley have been Sonic Youth for more than 20 years. They are a band that has always pushed the boundaries of music, and with "Goo-Deluxe Edition" we get to see a band that has influenced everyone from Nirvana to U2. |