Nothing about the way this release is being handled by Matador is too appealing to me. Just think about this for starters: Sonic Youth's only official full-length 'live album was made available in limited quantities via pre-order only!!! Ask around: virtually no one, save a few who lurk here on the official website and Matador site, knew about it! I've been talking to some record stores, online and off--they're pretty pissed about this as well. Also, it seems some people who did know about it thought that the LP was part of The Eternal package--constituting a limited edition 3-LP version of the album (sort of like what Cream did with the 2-LP version of Wheels Of Fire back in '68). Then there's this (expensive!) Japanese box set version of the album, with a booklet or something and the 'live album on disc. It seems like--for an independent--Matador has been behaving more like the majors than the majors with this album.
Considering what SY fans are like, I don't see how any of these questionable tactics are going to endear us to Matador. They owe a lot of us big-time. A Fall reissue of this precarious 'live LP is the least they can do.
I think this is one (the first?) SY release I'm going to skip on vinyl, and just get the el cheapo 12-track version of the disc.
|