Daydream Nation is clearly Sonic Youth's breakthrough album. A two lp set that focused all their previous ideas into one cohesive and brilliant album. The songs are stretched out more (though still song length)giving more of an idea of what they sounded like live. Music at this time was stuck in pop doldrums. Sonic Youth, which had built up a cult following, after the release of this album were then signed by a major label and brought all the indie rock bands into the light eventually including one that was just getting a start in Seattle that would soon eclipse all of them in popularity. However, back to Daydream Nation. The sprawling, though in no way self indulgent quality of the album took Sonic Youth into a new direction. Now, in getting the deluxe reissue treatment,it sheds new light on the album. On the 2nd disc you not only get live versions of all of the songs on the album (and Sonic Youth live takes what they do in the studio to a new level) but rarities as their version of "Within You, Without You" which was previously only available on a rare tribute album. If Daydream Nation were released for the first time this year, it would be one of the best albums of the year and with this deluxe reissue, in many ways it is.

The fifth album (more or less) by The Best Rock Band of the Last 25 Years should need no introduction, and indeed if you're interested in buying the deluxe edition of Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation," I can presume you're probably already a fan. You already know how the album summed up and then changed the course of the underground rock movement of the 80s, how the ample attention of critics, then music fans, then record labels set the stage for the alternative rock revolution of the 90s--oh well whatever

and yada yada yada. If, however, you haven't already drank the Kool-Aid (and you should!), some brief notes about the "basic" edition...

"Daydream Nation" is still hailed as Sonic Youth's grand masterpiece, and yeah, it still holds up as such (confession: it's my second favorite SY album after

), even if it doesn't seem as radical today as it did when it came out. Sure, there are swirling whirlwinds of oddly-(de)tuned guitars and feedback fading in, out and sometimes interrupting the songs, but make no mistake, there are definitely songs to be found here. The openening "Teenage Riot" is, for its galloping drums and lyrical cheekiness (imagining Dinosaur Jr's J. Mascis as president, or so Thurston Moore has said) basically a melodic and even hummable pop song. Even a more "experimental" song like "The Sprawl" has a certain immediacy, with bassist/vocalist Kim Gordon saying straigt out "does f**k you sound simple enough?" Heck, the closing "trilogy" of the album has all the power and intensity familiar to any classic rock fans, only with a live-wire buzzing and skree that comes from playing in one of Glenn Branca's guitar-army ensembles. Really, it's not so radical after all (for a taste of something far weirder, check out

, which was released around the same time as DN by Royal Trux, a New York band friendly with Sonic Youth).

For us fan(atic)s, the real treat here is the second disc of this set, which features live versions of all the album's tracks, culled from the band's original tour supporting the album, albeit in a different order (SY has recently announced it will play "Daydream Nation" as part of a special show, presumably in the album's running order). These tracks, mostly of excellent sound quality, are shorter but sharper than the album versions. "Total Trash" is done as an instrumental (I could be wrong, but they seem to be quoting the early Pink Floyd's instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive" in one spot), preceded by another instrumental, "Totally Trashed," which toys around with electronics a bit. Mostly these are no-holds-barred performances that clearly draw on the band's love of hardcore punk and NYC No Wave (DNA, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks). I don't know how a non-fan would react, but for yours truly it's pure Sonic bliss.

Another great bonus on disc two is the inclusion of four cover songs, three of which were taken from now hard-to-find tribute albums (this was before that concept got beaten to death): "Within You Without You" (The Beatles), "Computer Age" (Neil Young) and "Electricity" (Captain Beefheart). There's also a version of Mudhoney's "Touch Me I'm Sick," with demented vocals from Kim, taken from a split 7" (as in vinyl, kids) that had the other band doing SY's "Halloween" on the reverse (alas, that version isn't included here). The Beatles cover in particular shows how the band could translate their sound into completely different realms--the original, of course, was played mostly with sitars.

Add all that to a package that includes ultra-Kool, and rare, pictures and an extensive essay by longtime SY friend Byron Coley, and you have a true Sonic feast. Like they did with the

and the

, Sonic Youth rewards fans and newcomers alike almost to the bursting point. Now let's hope they burn down the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame before too long...

Daydream Nation is widely considered as one of the great alternative masterpieces of the 80s. I bought this album having heard only one song (Teen Age Riot) and reading the huge praise of the album. And this is one great sound: the energy, wit and rawness of punk mixed with the epic scope of progrock/artrock. It does take more than one listen to get. Here's a trackbytrack:

1. Teen Age Riot - Utterly brilliant. Great lyrics, riffage, drumming, craftsmanship - everything. Sums up everything DN is about. Rating: 10/10

5. Eric's Trip - Sounds drug-fuelled. Very atmospheric and dark. Rating: 8/10

Daydream Nation is considered a classic album, but it never makes those "100 Greatest Albums" lists because they need to save room for the 18 Beatles albums that will undoubtedly be on there (Nothing against the Beatles, it's just like, "How many spaces do you need?!?"). Anyway, like I was saying, it's thought of as a classic album and rightfully so. Simply put, this is the most perfect collection of sounds I have ever heard. Everything on this album is exactly as it should be. A balance between chaos and structure. Blah, blah, blah. You know the deal.

***

Another good thing about this album is that music snobs like it, so you can bring it up in casual conversation and be accepted into their elitist scene. Cos there's nothing cooler than hanging out with a guy who pretends to like Radiohead. And Sonic Youth influenced a lot of Grunge-era bands, so if you meet someone who's really into Nirvana or something, you can sniff and tell them how derivative you think Kurt Cobain and the Gang were.

***

So ... shell out the $$. Trust me. It's worth it. Just promise to give it a couple listens before you make up your mind. Cos it's a really complex album like that. And if you don't like it? Well, forget you! Go listen to Papa Roach or something.

the strength of sonic youth is their ability to blend the avant-garde and experimental aspects of their roots in the no wave scene active in new york in the late seventies, along with their more recent free jazz influences, with brilliant pop song structure and form. they take the energy and sincerety of early punk rock and experimental pioneers, and use it to make accessible pop gems, and no album more successfully bridges these two worlds as daydream nation. sitting at the crux of their earlier, more dissonant and experimental work released on independent labels in the 80s and their subsequent move into the pop world and the mass market with their jump to a major label in the early 90s, daydream nation is the height of their career. the song forms are extended and intricate, but buried inside them are beautiful pop hooks and engaging lyrics. the intricate interplay between guitarists thurston moore and lee ranaldo is nothing short of magical, as is the way songs dissolve and coalesce, flowing smoothly from noisy jam to concise melodies. the album is also extremely well balanced in mood, moving from energetic rockers ('Cross the Breeze, Eric's Trip), to more poignant reflective moments (Candle, The Wonder). throughout however, sonic youth maintains an integrity and strength of conviction that is impossible to ignore, and translates into some of the most convincing music ever. this album is definately a must have for anyone who is a serious music fan, no matter what your favorite genre is.