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I like it. The first few weeks I had it I didn't think much of it, I thought it was a decent but average album lacking inspiration. Sonic Nurse had disappointed me a bit because of the variety of styles on it (it sounded more like a collection rather than an album), and the production was a little too "clean" and refined for a Sonic Youth album. Now that I got into Rather Ripped, I feel it's not as good as Murray Street or Washing Machine, but better than Nurse, Goo, Dirty and more. If I have to find a defect, is that the sound throughout the album this time is a bit too homogeneous, but that helps making it sound more like a solid, traditional rock album. On this album, Kim is a real singer, and really a very good one. Thurston/Lee's guitar work maybe lacks some of the trademark noise, but it's excellent nonetheless with many little wonderful moments to discover with repeated listenings, and Steve's drumming is as good as it's always been. The songs are all good, with the possible exception of "Lights Out", and flow very well. It really sounds like an odd cross between Television/Blondie/Velvet Underground, and it works. It's even excellent to sing along to - I never expected to say this about a SY album! Overall, I feel happy they're still moving in whatever direction they wish to take instead of re-recording the same album over and over like some more famous bands.
By the way, I don't think the album can be appreciated without listening to the cd several times - I had listened to individual songs before buying it and the impression I get now is much different.
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