A few years ago I covered the Witnness music festival in Dublin. As I trekked through churned mud to the next performance Glen Hansard of top Irish band the Frames flew past me. Trying to grab an opportunity to poke a few questions at him, I shouted if he could pause for a minute. He replied, “sorry mate, Sonic Youth is about to perform. Gotta see ‘em.” Taking his lead, I hastily changed direction and followed in his muddy wake to catch my first Sonic Youth live performance. I was pretty well blown away by a band that performed in near-darkness to a capacity Irish audience. When I returned to the UK I immediately started to fill this gaping void in my music collection with GOO being my first (and ultimately most prized) acquisition.

GOO was originally released on the 26th June 1990 and rapidly became a landmark album in the history of alternative rock. Everything about the album was special including the black/white sketched cover artwork by Raymond Pettibon and avant-garde monochrome sleeve note photos. The album was the band’s eighth release and brought the genre and band into the mainstream. With major label backing the album was the band’s first to enter America’s Billboard’s Top 100 Albums list. With strong traces of melody, youthful freshness and vitality, combined with integrity and some wonderful instrumental moments, the album became a classic. But this ‘deluxe’ version is extra special. The first CD contains the original album but remastered to sound significantly better. Also included are additional tracks comprising out-takes, B sides and rehearsals - Lee #2 (previously unreleased), That’s All I Know (Right Now), The Bedroom, Dr. Benway’s House, and Tuff Boyz (previously unreleased). Disc 2 comprises eight demos, previously unreleased instrumental tracks, extended tracks, remixes, a few covers and a GOO interview. The package also includes extended sleeve notes with an extensive essay written by music journalist Byron Coley on the making of the album based on extensive interviews with the band’s Thurstan Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Kim Gordon, Steve Shelley and a record company executive. I also understand that the band is following up the CD release with a four LP box set on the band’s own Goofin’ imprint via Smells Like Records/Revolver USA.

This is an essential release from a pretty special band (who I will be seeing at the V Festival this coming weekend).

5/5