Sonic Youth

Released in 1987, Sonic Youth's fifth album finds them straddling the line between noisy, guitar-fuelled chaos and dreamy, near-pop songwriting. Noticeably grimier than their later work, Sister remains a fan favorite 15 years after the fact. Highlights include "Schizophrenia," "Tuff Gnarl," and "White Cross."

Finally, an album worthy of their tuning system, and no, it's not like they've suddenly started to write tight or see a shrink. All they cop to is making their bullsh*t signify, which means keeping a distance from the insanity they find so sexy and not letting their slack-jawed musings drone on too long. Hence, those with more moderate tastes have space to feel the buzz and a chance to go on to something else before boredom sets in. With the California punk cover acknowledging their debts and the bow to coherent content safeguarding against that empty feeling, their chief pleasure, as always, is formal--a guitar sound almost unique in its capacity to evoke rock and roll without implicating them in a history few youngish bands can bear up under these days. (Grade - A)