vs.

Sonic Youth have finally realized their music is too horrible even for a major label to release, so they’re apparently close to signing with an indie label. Which label remains a mystery, but to this reporter it’s clear-as-fucking-day that the band is not going to suddenly start sounding good again just because they’re moving to a new record label. The likelihood of hearing a good Sonic Youth album from here on out is about the same as my being offered a job with a six-figure salary before the end of the year.

Far be it from me to go against the holy word of Thurston Moore, who recently claimed in an interview with Rolling Stone “The last four or five records we did were just so compromised by that [major label] situation. But that’s the way it goes.” Really, Thurston? Really? Because, I could have sworn your band has been coasting since Murray Street. Plus, you recorded Goo, Dirty, Experimental Jet Set…, Washing Machine and A Thousand Leaves for Geffen, and those didn’t seem all that compromised. Just because your last to albums failed miserably you can’t pretend that the last 18 years have been rife with conflict and concessions to your label. You certainly weren’t compromised when you, uh, released a compilation album for Starbucks two months ago. That sure got your new “indie” career off to a good start.

I guess it’s always hard for a once-interesting musician or band to come to terms with the fact that they’re a completely discredited, insignificant blip on the art world’s radar now, and that they’ll never again record good music. Then again, I only like Sister and Evol, and I’m generally not a fan of singers whose voices follow the guitar melody 90% of the time.

You know, another post no-wave New York band that managed to remain true to themselves while consistently releasing incredible albums, Swans, never faced as much adversity as Sonic Youth has in recent years. And for good reason, they pretty much never sucked in any way (although the Jarboe years were spotty), they new when and how to evolve, and Michael Gira’s solo work absolutely demolishes Thurston Moore’s. When it comes to each band’s respective “best” albums (that’s a subject term, of course) Children of God, one could argue, is vastly superior to Daydream Nation. Lastly, Michael Gira might be a complete dick, but at least he has integrity. To say Thurston Moore has remained emotionally committed to making engrossing music would — at this point — be laughable.

***

As I was making the rounds this morning, visiting all the music blogs I like to read, I stumbled across a “leaked” album from a UK band called The Bookhouse Boys. Another Twin Peaks reference in music, but from the looks of their one-sheet it doesn’t sound like they’re a recap rock band. Nope, sadly their compositions combine “surf guitar, spaghetti western soundtracks, and Southern gospel” to create “some smart bleak songs in the vein of Nick Cave and Calexico.” On any other morning, that might inspire me to download the album and give it a chance…but not today. I just want to hear songs about the actual Bookhouse Boys. Big Ed Hurley, James Hurley, Deputy Hawk and Sheriff Harry S. Truman. Plus James’ weird friend, and Agent Cooper, if you want to include new members. Someone start a Twin Peaks recap rock band!

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