Sonic Youth
Daydream Nation
Released: 1988
Filled with anthems, energy and angst, Daydream Nation portrays the best snapshot of the late '80s East Coast underground rock scene.
Sonic Youth's sixth studio record immediately plummets into an atmosphere of oddly tuned guitars and melody lines come incredibly close to the boundaries of pop. But, Sonic Youth doesn't want you to be comfortable. Songs like "Total Trash" pull you with a toe-tapping melody and then drop their Doc Martens on your foot with an exploding barrage of sound.
The phenomenal "Teen Age Riot" lulls you with a quiet intro that evolves into a frenetic and catchy assault of guitars, drums and noise. If you don't feel the urge to turn this one up really loud, check your pulse, you might be dead.
Other standouts are: "Silver Rocket" which is as driving and punk as it gets, the varying "Candle" which keeps you guessing and the bizarre dream-like "Providence" that feels like a memory, fuzzy and vague. Daydream Nation is inarguably one of Sonic Youth's best records and a must-hear by any serious underground rock fan.
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