Speaking of vinyl, Sonic Youth has announced the
vinyl-only release of
SYR 7, the seventh installment of their self-released improvisations. These long pieces are often entirely instrumental, and they are lovely, moving, and beautifully-recorded. The hypnotic artwork is by artist and filmmaker,
Chris Habib. In the past, the CD packaging for each release has mimicked a gatefold LP, with the CD simply sliding into an inner sleeve.
SYR 7 will be available on April 22. Add it to my list of
2008's Most Wanted Releases. I feel at once stoked and ripped-off. Why vinyl-only? Why can't I have the CD and the vinyl?
They came suddenly, and they came in a hurry. They came because Sonic Youth had the time and the space to indulge. In their newly-completed Manhattan studio, the band could now create more freely, releasing raw and fiery material that may not have been appropriate for Geffen. They would release it themselves.
I've collected every one of these burning masterpieces—on CD—going back to those college nights with Todd and Michelle, racing down River Road to catch the 168 or the 175 and finding our way to the Cooler on 14th, or Tonic on Norfolk, and later even watching thrilled and perplexed as Sonic Youth took the stage to make noise at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Michelle and I rose from the subway just in time to see Lee Ranaldo, gray sweater and corduroys and Vans, hurrying along Columbus Circle. We tried to follow, but couldn't keep up. It was as though he knew we were chasing after him and had ducked into some secret entrance for musicians only. Inside, we were greeted by wine glasses, black suits, and flowing gowns and we didn't know what to do. Sitting made no sense, standing wasn't allowed. We danced in our seats for as long as we could. Sonic Youth made their noise, which would later find its way onto the gorgeous
A Thousand Leaves. By the end of the night, we could no longer take it and we abandoned our pointless seats and rushed the stage with our skinny arms waving through the well-lit hall. We felt certain that Lee recognized us. He smiled in our direction.
I will certainly purchase
SYR 7, probably on the night it is released—on vinyl—and I will certainly love it. But not being able to own it on CD, and add it to the stack of six others that rest on my bookcase, will feel somehow uncomfortable, incomplete. I'm not sure that I'll be able to stand it. I'm not sure that I'll be able to wait. Like that night at Avery Fisher Hall, I'll want to rush the stage, get closer and listen—immediately, and immediately.
Why not a CD, also? It would look so pretty and perfect along with all of my others. But perhaps Sonic Youth is making some sort of a statement by releasing
SYR 7 as a vinyl-only edition, paving the way for some sort of future. Add it to my list of Reasons to Get a Turntable.
If any of you LES peeps happen to bump into Lee over at Rosario's Pizza, would you ask him about this, please? Thanks.
