Rather Ripped
Rather Ripped is the fourteenth studio album by the American rock band Sonic Youth, released on June 13, 2006, by Geffen Records.[1] The album features 12 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 52 minutes, including the single "Incinerate", and marks the band's first release without the production assistance of longtime collaborator Jim O'Rourke since their 1998 album A Thousand Leaves.[2][3] Recorded between December 2005 and January 2006 at Sear Sound in New York City, with additional sessions at Echo Canyon and Bisquiteen in Massachusetts, Rather Ripped was produced by the band alongside John Agnello and engineered by TJ Doherty.[2] The sessions emphasized cleaner guitar tones and a more streamlined song structure compared to Sonic Youth's earlier noise rock experiments, resulting in a collection of propulsive art-pop songs that highlight shared vocals between Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon.[2][3] Lyrically, the album explores themes of personal relationships, including adultery and sexual frustration, delivered with a melancholic intimacy.[4] Upon release, Rather Ripped received mostly positive critical reception for its accessible melodies, taut production, and Gordon's standout vocal contributions on tracks like "Turquoise Boy" and "Reena", though some reviewers noted a mid-album dip in momentum.[3][4] It peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 64 on the UK Albums Chart, continuing the band's commercial trajectory in their later career phase.[5]Production
Background and development
Rather Ripped marked Sonic Youth's return to a core quartet lineup following the departure of multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who had been a full member since 1999 and contributed to three studio albums. O'Rourke announced his exit in October 2005 after six years with the band, citing a desire to pursue interests in film scoring and other projects, which allowed Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley to refocus as the primary creative unit. This shift came after the experimental and expansive Sonic Nurse (2004), the last album produced with O'Rourke's involvement, and positioned the band to explore a fresh dynamic without his textural layering.[6] The band aimed to craft shorter, more concise songs that leaned toward a poppier, less noisy aesthetic, contrasting the sprawling noise-rock elements of their prior works. Thurston Moore explained that with noise achieving mainstream popularity, Sonic Youth deliberately toned it down to emphasize propulsive, three-minute art-pop structures with clearer guitar tones and melodic hooks. This evolution reflected their ongoing adaptation under their Geffen Records contract, signed in 1990, where they sought to balance experimental roots with accessible rock while navigating the post-O'Rourke era.[3][2] Pre-recording experimentation occurred during 2005 tours and informal sessions, where several tracks were debuted live, including early versions of "Incinerate," "Sleepin' Around," "Helen Lundeberg," and "Pink Steam" at venues like the Flywheel Community Center. These performances allowed the band to refine relationship-themed lyrics—such as Gordon's reflections on personal connections in "Reena"—and incorporate harmonic surprises, honing a tighter songwriting approach before entering the studio in late 2005.[2][3]Recording and production
The recording sessions for Rather Ripped primarily took place from December 2005 to January 2006 at Sear Sound Studios in New York City, with additional recording occurring in January and February 2006 at Echo Canyon in New York and Bisquiteen in Amherst, Massachusetts.[2][7] The album was produced by Sonic Youth in collaboration with John Agnello, who served as the mixing engineer and contributed to achieving a cleaner, more straightforward sound compared to the band's prior works.[2][8] Agnello emphasized efficient tracking to capture a live, authentic feel, incorporating minimal overdubs to preserve the band's natural performances and ensure the record translated well to their stage shows.[8] The core lineup consisted solely of the band's four members, with no additional musicians involved: Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon handling the majority of guitars and lead vocals, Lee Ranaldo contributing guitar and vocals, and Steve Shelley providing drums throughout the 12 tracks.[9][7] Engineer TJ Doherty oversaw the primary sessions at Sear Sound, assisted by Chris Allen and Aaron Mullan.[2] Mixing was completed in February 2006 at Sear Sound and Water Music in Hoboken, New Jersey, under Agnello's direction.[7] Mastering followed in March 2006 at Sterling Sound in New York City by Greg Calbi, resulting in a 51-minute runtime that highlighted the album's concise, potent rock arrangements.[7][10]Musical composition
Style and influences
Rather Ripped marks a stylistic evolution for Sonic Youth, shifting toward alternative rock and noise pop characterized by propulsive, three-minute art-pop songs that reduce the dissonance and experimental noise of earlier albums like Daydream Nation and Sonic Nurse.[3][11] The album refines the band's sound into more compact structures with sleek, slippery riffs and a focus on texture over explosive feedback, creating a tauter and more streamlined approach compared to their noise-heavy past.[3][11] The record incorporates melodic hooks and shared vocals among Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo, drawing influences from 1960s pop acts like the Ronettes and the Crystals, as well as punk and indie rock pioneers such as the Velvet Underground and the Stooges.[12][13] These elements manifest in bubblegum riffs and sugar-bomb pop confections that retain the band's experimental edge while emphasizing sweeter vocal deliveries, particularly from Gordon.[12][3] Key sonic features include tuned guitars with oddball tunings, driving rhythms, and harmonic surprises delivered through pristine, shiny playing without heavy feedback, resulting in crystalline parts and windswept textures.[3][11] This configuration positions Rather Ripped as a more accessible entry point in Sonic Youth's discography, blending their avant-garde roots with straightforward rock appeal for broader listeners.[3][11]Songwriting and lyrics
The songwriting for Rather Ripped was a collaborative effort among Sonic Youth's core members—Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley—with the album's 12 tracks generally credited to the group as a whole. This process emphasized streamlined structures, as seen in songs like "Reena" and "Incinerate," which adopt concise verse-chorus formats clocking in around three minutes each, prioritizing propulsive riffs and hooks over extended experimentation.[14][3] Lyrically, the album explores themes of relationships, infidelity, sexual frustration, and melancholy, often filtered through Gordon's feminist perspective on power dynamics and emotional vulnerability. For instance, in "Sleepin' Around," Gordon confronts adultery with raw, accusatory lines like "sleepin' around/all over town," while "What a Waste" delves into sexual frustration and relational disillusionment, critiquing societal expectations of women. Moore's contributions, such as the violent romantic imagery in "Incinerate" ("I ripped your heart out from your chest/replaced it with a grenade blast"), add layers of personal turmoil, blending lust and destruction.[4][15] Gordon handled lead vocals on several tracks, including "Reena," "Turquoise Boy," and "The Neutral," where her themes of intense friendships and liberation ("Sweet liberation has come") underscore a feminist lens on autonomy amid relational strain. Moore and Ranaldo introduced more abstract, personal elements; Moore's "Do You Believe in Rapture?" evokes spiritual unease and urban rapture with lines like "hear him yowl his bloody tongue," while Ranaldo's "Rats" paints fragmented urban scenes of isolation ("when the rats run riot and the screen door slams/nothing but cats and cans"). These contributions create an overall tone of forward-motion energy infused with subtle emotional depth, eschewing overt abstraction for direct, evocative storytelling that complements the album's accessible rock style.[3][4][16]Release and promotion
Release details
Rather Ripped was released on June 13, 2006, by Geffen Records.[2] The album marked the completion of Sonic Youth's long-term contract with the label, which had issued their previous eight studio records since signing in 1990.[17] It was issued in standard CD and vinyl formats, with the vinyl pressed as a single LP; digital downloads were also available through major platforms.[1] No special or limited editions were released at launch. The cover artwork, created primarily by artist Christopher Wool, incorporated stencil imagery inspired by his work and a photograph of a fire-damaged curtain.[2] The rollout positioned the album within the band's narrative of artistic evolution, highlighting a shift toward more accessible, riff-driven structures while preserving their noise-rock roots.[3] This release aligned with the onset of Sonic Youth's extensive 2006 touring schedule.[2]Singles and music videos
Rather Ripped yielded one official single, "Incinerate", released in 2006 to promote the album. The track was issued primarily in promotional formats, including CD-R singles distributed to radio stations and media outlets in countries such as France and Australia.[18] Digital distribution also made it available through platforms like iTunes, aligning with the era's shift toward online music sales. "Do You Believe in Rapture?" was also promoted as a single with a music video directed by Braden King, released in 2006.[19] The music video for "Incinerate", directed by acclaimed filmmaker Claire Denis, captures a live performance from the band's warm-up show at Le Nouveau Casino in Paris prior to their 2006 tour. Featuring abstract framing with tight, unconventional close-ups of the band members amid high-energy playing, the video emphasizes the song's propulsive rhythm and destructive lyrical themes of romantic turmoil.[20] No traditional B-sides accompanied the single, though promotional samplers often paired it with album tracks like "Reena" for radio and press use.[21] No further official singles were released from the album, though "Reena"—the record's opening track—garnered notable radio play and appeared on European promo discs. Promotional efforts centered on "Incinerate" for its infectious, jangly guitar riff, which critics highlighted as a standout element driving the song's accessibility.[3] A separate music video for "Reena", directed by Braden King, was produced and features stylized visuals complementing the track's urgent, riff-heavy energy.[22] These visuals supported the album's broader marketing by visually echoing its motifs of interpersonal tension and urban disconnection.Touring
The Rather Ripped Tour commenced on June 13, 2006—the album's release date—with a performance at New York City's CBGB, one of the venue's final shows before its closure in October 2006 and launching the band's summer promotion of the record.[23][24] The North American leg spanned dozens of dates through July, encompassing club shows and major festivals like Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, where the band delivered high-energy sets blending new material with classics.[23][25] Setlists during these outings prominently showcased tracks from Rather Ripped, such as "Incinerate" and "Reena," which opened many performances with crisp, propulsive riffs that translated the album's streamlined sound to the stage.[26][25] A European tour followed in December, including festival appearances at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas in Minehead, UK, extending the live rollout into year-end.[23] After multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke's departure in 2005, the core quartet—Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley, augmented by bassist Mark Ibold—infused the tour with renewed vigor, emphasizing the album's adaptability through taut, multi-layered arrangements that maintained the band's avant-garde intensity without excess noise.[25][27] This pared-down configuration allowed for seamless onstage chemistry, as evidenced by reviews praising the "aural earthquake" of their Bonnaroo set.[25]Commercial performance
Chart performance
Upon its release in June 2006, Rather Ripped achieved moderate commercial success on various international music charts, reflecting Sonic Youth's established presence in the alternative rock genre. The album debuted and peaked at No. 71 on the US Billboard 200 chart. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 64 on the Official Albums Chart, marking a brief entry into the top 100.[28] The album also charted in several other countries, demonstrating its appeal in European and Oceanic markets. Below is a summary of select peak positions:| Country | Chart Name | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA Albums Chart | 40 | 1 |
| Austria | Ö3 Austria Top 40 | 34 | 2 |
| Belgium (Flanders) | Ultratop 50 Albums | 39 | 2 |
| France | SNEP Albums Chart | 25 | 7 |
| Germany | Media Control Charts | 39 | 2 |
| Norway | VG-lista | 35 | 1 |
| Sweden | Sverigetopplistan | 44 | 1 |
| United Kingdom | Official Albums Chart | 64 | 1 |
| United States | Billboard 200 | 71 | 2 |
Sales and certifications
Rather Ripped achieved modest commercial sales, with an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 copies sold in the United States.[37] This figure aligned closely with the band's preceding album, Sonic Nurse, which also moved between 60,000 and 70,000 units, though Rather Ripped marked a slight decline in initial momentum as indicated by its lower chart debut. The album received no official certifications from the RIAA or equivalent bodies worldwide.[38]Critical reception
Initial reviews
Upon release in June 2006, Rather Ripped garnered widespread critical acclaim, achieving an aggregate score of 82 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 34 reviews, with 31 positive, 3 mixed, and none negative.[39] Pitchfork awarded the album 7.5 out of 10, lauding its taut, propulsive structure as the band's tightest in 25 years, filled with concise three-minute art-pop songs driven by sleek, slippery riffs and invigorated performances from the core four-piece lineup following Jim O'Rourke's departure.[3] AllMusic gave it 4 out of 5 stars, praising its melodic accessibility and the remarkable melodic turns that highlighted the band's renewed chemistry and purpose, making it a strong entry in their later catalog despite a slightly stripped-down approach.[40] Rolling Stone also rated it 4 out of 5 stars (equivalent to 80 on Metacritic's scale), commending the energetic pop shift and calling it one of Sonic Youth's strongest late-period records, with Thurston Moore's dominant vocals adding vitality to the shorter, more direct tracks.[41] While the majority of reviews celebrated the album's focused songwriting and post-O'Rourke band dynamics—evident in the streamlined tracks and collaborative energy—some mixed critiques pointed to a relative lack of the bold innovation seen in Sonic Youth's 1980s and 1990s work, viewing it instead as a solid but familiar return to form.[42] Overall, contemporaries appreciated how the album balanced accessibility with the group's signature experimental edge, marking a refreshing evolution for the veteran act.Accolades
Rather Ripped earned significant recognition from music critics in 2006, particularly within alternative and indie rock circles. The album ranked No. 12 on The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll, which aggregates votes from hundreds of music journalists and reflects broad consensus among U.S.-based tastemakers.[43] It also appeared on several prominent year-end lists published by music magazines. Spin placed it at No. 22 on their 40 Best Albums of 2006, praising its sleek riffs and Sonic Youth's enduring vitality.[44] Similarly, Mojo ranked it No. 12 among the year's top albums, highlighting its concise songcraft and melodic surprises as a standout in rock.[45] Uncut included it at No. 35 in their best-of roundup, noting its positive energy and harmonic innovations.[46] The album received no nominations for major awards such as the Grammys, though its critical acclaim underscored Sonic Youth's continued relevance. These honors, building on the initial praise for its accessible yet experimental sound, helped solidify the band's reputation as indie rock elders during the mid-2000s.Track listing and personnel
Track listing
All tracks on Rather Ripped are written by members of Sonic Youth (Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley).[2][14] The standard edition features 12 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 52 minutes.[2] Digital versions match the physical CD track listing and durations.[10]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reena | 3:47 |
| 2 | Incinerate | 4:55 |
| 3 | Do You Believe in Rapture? | 3:11 |
| 4 | Sleepin Around | 3:42 |
| 5 | What a Waste | 3:33 |
| 6 | Jams Run Free | 3:52 |
| 7 | Rats | 4:21 |
| 8 | Turquoise Boy | 4:01 |
| 9 | Lights Out | 3:31 |
| 10 | The Neutral | 4:02 |
| 11 | Pink Steam | 7:00 |
| 12 | Or | 3:02 |