Sonic Youth Gossip - Washing Machine

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- - Washing Machine (http://www.sonicyouth.com/gossip/showthread.php?t=20292)

It has some good songs, but it doesn't really flow together all that well. Most SY albums have a uniform feel to them, an over-arching mood. But Washing Machine just kind of feels like a random collection of songs that got thrown together at the last minute.

"The Diamond Sea" is easily in my top 10 favorite songs, though.

lafayette street

I don't understand why you seasoned SY fans cannot accept this album. It was and is my #1 album by the band.

Songs like Junkies Promise and No Queen Blues are 'beauty in ugly' SY trademark...Washing Machine the song is an epiphany...

We all know that SY bring beauty out of ugly, chaos and black. So why is this album such a strecth?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EVERYONE IS SO FREAKING WET ABOUT THE TITLE TRACK.
Honestly, probably in my top ten worst SY songs. The first half inparticular is kind of shitty, the music is nothing special, and the vocals are pure cheese...
the rest of the song (instrumental) is alright, but again, nothing special. Seems pretty run of the mill SY jam/
Sorry I'm so militant about the whole thing, but the album is disgustingly overhyped... I don't get it!

Yeah Kims vocals annoy me, but the instrumentation is great!

First time I heard Washing Machine I thought it was shite. But the songs grow on you huge, and that tapey-production is spot on. Easley Studios is the fucking shit and every album thats made there kicks so much ass.

I thought Becuz was the worst opening SY track ever, too simple, boring... but then you just listen to Lee and Thurston completely opposed guitar tracks somehow held together by that super simple bass line, the noise is great fun too...cool vocal effects.

I can say the same about pretty much every other song on the album...

I actaully really liked it on the first listen. Never stopped liking it really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAULYBEE2656

its agreat album its a fantastic album. the shit songs are few and far between. little trouble girl is like the intermission in a really long film, thats when i go to the lobby to get myself some drinks.......

becuz- groovefest jam queen
junkies- nasty dark and yes
saucerlike- wonderful
washmach- jazztastic kimfest
unwind- beauty is everywhere
little trouble girl- obligatory toilet break
no queen- i dont give a fuck why the bullshit artist should shut up!
panty lies- quirky but of fun uun un un un un
skip tracer- lee is free again
diamond sea- is there any point in talking about this track again... its a gem, a tour of force. a shing beacon amongst an already well lit landscape. its the helicopter landing pad on a real impressive building....

i loved this album when it came out, probably because i felt sy had gone awayy from experimental jstand no star. that album was awful, lets not kid ourselves here, washing machine was a return to the sy we all love!

it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if sy did change their name to washing machine like they were gonna do for this album!

oh and dont forget my arena!! great track, should have been on album!

i dont know why people bag experimental jtans... though it becomes very weak towards then end, the first few tracks are splendid. winner's blues and bull in the ether unique in their composition and sonic-youthness. and no way a mainstream effort.

jumesyn, yeah, i think the noise in this album stands out a lot from the rest of each song.

i defence of ejstans. i think its a poor album, there are some great songs on it of course but as an album it is poor........

can someone please YSI 'My Arena'....I've been trying to get a hold of it for ages :(

as for Little Trouble Girl hate... I don't get it...the rare SY ballad...it's so awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluxequalsrad

can someone please YSI 'My Arena'....I've been trying to get a hold of it for ages :(

as for Little Trouble Girl hate... I don't get it...the rare SY ballad...it's so awesome.

hate? bit strong word.

Washing Machine pretty much blew my mind on several levels when it first came out.

Im one of those people, the first time i heard washing machine I hated it and then it grew on me big time. one of my favourite SY albums i think. and the title track is awesome... I love when the jam comes in and like the guitar takes over from the singing, but is like a continuation of the vocals.

There's a lot of great guitar sounds on that album.

This is one of their best works to be honest. But everyone perceives music differently.

It isn't one of my favorites, but it does have some great tracks on it.

I love that fuckin album I'm a Washing Machine junkie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEROpumpkins

Yeah Kims vocals annoy me, but the instrumentation is great!

I think the voice is that annoying on purpose, to make the 2nd part seem more beautiful.
works for me

I dont think that there is 1 flawless SY album where every song is cracking (except Murray Street, for me) but WM is one of the best

Do you think it's deliberate? I always wondered if Kim was aware that her vocals could be a bit rough and unwelcoming sometimes. From the times I've seen them live she seems the least aware of where she is and what she's doing (not that that's something I frown upon). Thurston just rocks out, Lee is TOTALLY focused and Steve has a great time. Steve rocks.

I rather enjoy Kim's vocals. Not because it is beautiful, but because it brings a different tone to the band. Thurston and Lee are very much calm, but with kim there seems to be more of a tension.

I do think its deliberate because she has about 3 different Styles to her voice. For me tracks like Pattern Recognition or Turquoise Boy (off the top of my head) seem like her Natural singing voice. Then things like WM and the Panty LIne song (whatever thats called) seem strained and intentionally harsh, almost her Punk singing voice.

Then there's the syr5 stuff which is just irritating