Why is NYCG&F regarded as one of their best? - Page 2

atsonicpark · 05.18.2009, 03:45 PM

I think it was a weird time for the band. All their gear had just been jacked... I mean, Sonic Youth are a somewhat popular band and they had insurance, so they could replace the gear easier than you or I -- the gear that COULD BE replaced, that is; most of the guitars were modified or rare or one of a kind and all that love -- not even money, just love -- put into your craft... for it all to be stolen away, that has to have taken a toll on the band. (Something I always wondered though... weren't some synths stolen? Why did Sonic Youth have senses with them? I know they've had organ/Moog on a few songs here or there but I don't remember them playing synthesizers live pre-jim o'rourke, except the "Silver Rocket" rendition of Night Music...) I dunno how optimistic the band members were in interviews around the time of this album's release, but with them adding O'Rourke to the fold as an actual member afterwards, I feel like they all felt like they needed something to change in their music. I wonder about Ghosts and Flowers... I think it's a dark album mainly because it reflects how they were feeling about their lives. It's pretty hard to just invent that kind of darkness in the studio. It had to have followed them around. It's a very interesting record because of that, and if you notice Murray Street is downright cheery at times in comparison. The actual songs are kinda loose and odd, "Free City Rhymes" is such a masterpiece that it's ridiculous; one of my top 10 favorite SY songs. What a great album.

SonicBebs · 05.18.2009, 04:31 PM

free city rhymes is such a masterpiece. we should all take some time to sit and listen to that song every day. i mean, just sit down with headphones and close your eyes. it deserves it (i was thinking that about Sympathy for the Strawberry today too. so so good)

summer · 05.18.2009, 04:39 PM

You know, the most I've got from this thread is..
Sonic Youth should do an album with synths. Yeah.
Also that I am now putting on this album to see if I still dislike it. Actually I don't even dislike it I am just apathetic towards it.

ingram · 05.18.2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingram

just because it's actually their best album

another obvious answer: because it's perfect soundtrack for smoking hash

summer · 05.18.2009, 05:08 PM

Wow I dunno why I didn't like this album before. A Thousand Leaves is my favorite Sonic Youth album. NYCG&F reminds me of my favorite moments on ATL, so.. naturally I'm loving this, time around.

samuel · 05.18.2009, 05:48 PM

What to say, what to say... my first Sonic Youth album was Dirty. I was 12, and you can imagine I loved it so. My second album was NYC Ghosts & Flowers. Quite a transition. I don't know what it was about this album. I can't say I liked it initially, but something about it made me curious, like being in 5th grade looking at a calculus textbook. Somehow, I knew it was brilliant, but it would take time to understand. And that's how it was.

Renegade Princess became one of my favorite songs quickly. My sister and I would jam to it, and she really isn't even a fan. I remember we loved the line "crystal hearts gonna break you downnn." So every time I picked up this album, I would always skip to track 2. It took a month or so to even get to the 2-minute mark of Free City Rhymes, but when I did, everything became clear. Free City Rhymes may be my favorite tune by the Youth now.

I have really no complaints about this album. The ending of Lightnin' gives me chills every time. The end of Renegade Princess reminds me of EVOL. Nevermind is groovy, Small Flowers Crack Concrete is hip, Side2side is a whirl, StreamXsonik Subway is raging, and NYC Ghosts & Flowers is a masterpiece.

I like it.

nancykitten · 05.18.2009, 06:03 PM

Because it's fuckin' special, that's why.

05.18.2009, 06:54 PM

It's one of the few SY albums of the 90's that feel cohesive. It has a cinematic tension to it that works very well when you listen to it as a whole piece of work. It reminds me a bit of John Carpenter's movies, that sort of no-man's land urban landscape, which is great if you ask me. Lyrically it works much better when you listen to it from start to finish. There are not so brilliant lines throughout, yet they gel together well when placed side by side.

ZEROpumpkins · 05.18.2009, 09:35 PM

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER MENTION FREE CITY RHYMES? THAT'S ONE OF SY'S GREATEST SONGS

goddamn

ZEROpumpkins · 05.18.2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarramkrop

It's one of the few SY albums of the 90's that feel cohesive.

lol wut

summer · 05.18.2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEROpumpkins

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER MENTION FREE CITY RHYMES? THAT'S ONE OF SY'S GREATEST SONGS

goddamn

I've seen it mentioned 2 or 3 times in this topic. Also, I'd say Renegade Princess is better.. that's the one song I always liked from this album before today. Now, I magically love the whole thing. Magic.

deflinus · 05.18.2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEROpumpkins

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER MENTION FREE CITY RHYMES? THAT'S ONE OF SY'S GREATEST SONGS

goddamn

you speak the truth

Skuj · 05.18.2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancykitten

Because it's fuckin' special, that's why.

It's so fucking special.

I hate that it's only 42mins long, and Kim takes a bit of a backseat, methinks. But ATL to NYCGF was a very "Arty" period for SNY, and I fucking love it when they get, erm, Highbrow. I like the "Clever" SNY more than the Rawkin SNY, if that makes any sense. Of course the Dudes weren't all going to dig this.

It has cowbell too.

Skuj · 05.18.2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarramkrop

It's one of the few SY albums of the 90's that feel cohesive. It has a cinematic tension to it that works very well when you listen to it as a whole piece of work. It reminds me a bit of John Carpenter's movies, that sort of no-man's land urban landscape, which is great if you ask me. Lyrically it works much better when you listen to it from start to finish. There are not so brilliant lines throughout, yet they gel together well when placed side by side.

Or side2side.

Skuj · 05.18.2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEROpumpkins

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER MENTION FREE CITY RHYMES? THAT'S ONE OF SY'S GREATEST SONGS

goddamn

Um, I think you and I are looking at two different threads.

BTW, it IS a fabulous song. It sways and swings, innit?

SonikJesus · 05.19.2009, 12:44 AM

I thought NYCGF was thought of as one of their two worst albums along with EJSTNS. I, however, love this album. It's definitely a grower but I find that those are the types of records that I continue to listen to more as time goes on (as opposed to a record that I like on first listen).

Neongod · 05.19.2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuj

and Kim takes a bit of a backseat

She sings on 4 of the 8 songs...

puddlesplasher · 05.19.2009, 01:09 PM

Because it's brilliant. I would kill to see SY perform 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers' live.

Skuj · 05.19.2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neongod

She sings on 4 of the 8 songs...

Or 3? (My neurons may be fading.) Even so, they are the "lesser" songs imho. Even though Side2Side and Lightnin are good. And, um, that other one.

nicfit · 05.19.2009, 02:23 PM

nevermind

05.18.2009, 03:45 PM	#21
atsonicpark invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 28,843	I think it was a weird time for the band. All their gear had just been jacked... I mean, Sonic Youth are a somewhat popular band and they had insurance, so they could replace the gear easier than you or I -- the gear that COULD BE replaced, that is; most of the guitars were modified or rare or one of a kind and all that love -- not even money, just love -- put into your craft... for it all to be stolen away, that has to have taken a toll on the band. (Something I always wondered though... weren't some synths stolen? Why did Sonic Youth have senses with them? I know they've had organ/Moog on a few songs here or there but I don't remember them playing synthesizers live pre-jim o'rourke, except the "Silver Rocket" rendition of Night Music...) I dunno how optimistic the band members were in interviews around the time of this album's release, but with them adding O'Rourke to the fold as an actual member afterwards, I feel like they all felt like they needed something to change in their music. I wonder about Ghosts and Flowers... I think it's a dark album mainly because it reflects how they were feeling about their lives. It's pretty hard to just invent that kind of darkness in the studio. It had to have followed them around. It's a very interesting record because of that, and if you notice Murray Street is downright cheery at times in comparison. The actual songs are kinda loose and odd, "Free City Rhymes" is such a masterpiece that it's ridiculous; one of my top 10 favorite SY songs. What a great album. __________________
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05.18.2009, 04:31 PM	#22
SonicBebs expwy. to yr skull Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,680	free city rhymes is such a masterpiece. we should all take some time to sit and listen to that song every day. i mean, just sit down with headphones and close your eyes. it deserves it (i was thinking that about Sympathy for the Strawberry today too. so so good)
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05.18.2009, 04:39 PM	#23
summer stalker Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 540	You know, the most I've got from this thread is.. Sonic Youth should do an album with synths. Yeah. Also that I am now putting on this album to see if I still dislike it. Actually I don't even dislike it I am just apathetic towards it. __________________
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05.18.2009, 05:08 PM	#25
summer stalker Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 540	Wow I dunno why I didn't like this album before. A Thousand Leaves is my favorite Sonic Youth album. NYCG&F reminds me of my favorite moments on ATL, so.. naturally I'm loving this, time around. __________________
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05.18.2009, 05:48 PM	#26
samuel the end of the ugly Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,173	What to say, what to say... my first Sonic Youth album was Dirty. I was 12, and you can imagine I loved it so. My second album was NYC Ghosts & Flowers. Quite a transition. I don't know what it was about this album. I can't say I liked it initially, but something about it made me curious, like being in 5th grade looking at a calculus textbook. Somehow, I knew it was brilliant, but it would take time to understand. And that's how it was. Renegade Princess became one of my favorite songs quickly. My sister and I would jam to it, and she really isn't even a fan. I remember we loved the line "crystal hearts gonna break you downnn." So every time I picked up this album, I would always skip to track 2. It took a month or so to even get to the 2-minute mark of Free City Rhymes, but when I did, everything became clear. Free City Rhymes may be my favorite tune by the Youth now. I have really no complaints about this album. The ending of Lightnin' gives me chills every time. The end of Renegade Princess reminds me of EVOL. Nevermind is groovy, Small Flowers Crack Concrete is hip, Side2side is a whirl, StreamXsonik Subway is raging, and NYC Ghosts & Flowers is a masterpiece. I like it.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.18.2009, 06:03 PM	#27
nancykitten children of satan Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Glasgow, UK Posts: 316	Because it's fuckin' special, that's why. __________________
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05.18.2009, 06:54 PM	#28
sarramkrop Posts: n/a	It's one of the few SY albums of the 90's that feel cohesive. It has a cinematic tension to it that works very well when you listen to it as a whole piece of work. It reminds me a bit of John Carpenter's movies, that sort of no-man's land urban landscape, which is great if you ask me. Lyrically it works much better when you listen to it from start to finish. There are not so brilliant lines throughout, yet they gel together well when placed side by side.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.18.2009, 09:35 PM	#29
ZEROpumpkins invito al cielo Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 6,157	WHY DOES NO ONE EVER MENTION FREE CITY RHYMES? THAT'S ONE OF SY'S GREATEST SONGS goddamn __________________
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05.19.2009, 12:44 AM	#36
SonikJesus the end of the ugly Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,006	I thought NYCGF was thought of as one of their two worst albums along with EJSTNS. I, however, love this album. It's definitely a grower but I find that those are the types of records that I continue to listen to more as time goes on (as opposed to a record that I like on first listen).
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05.19.2009, 01:09 PM	#38
puddlesplasher empty page Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 25	Because it's brilliant. I would kill to see SY perform 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers' live.
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05.19.2009, 02:23 PM	#40
nicfit invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: banana boat Posts: 15,570	nevermind __________________ 11:11 11-11-11 I Ascended.
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