Sonic Youth album Hits Are For Squares and 1991: The Year That Punk Broke DVD review – out Oct 31st

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Rogue Mag Music Sonic Youth The Year That Punk Broke Hits Are For Squares
Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth’s Hits Are For Squares, previously available only through limited outlets, will be released on October 31st 2011, through Universal Music Group.

As if their own reputation wasn’t enough, to have revered artists such as Radiohead, Flea, Eddie Vedder and others choosing their favorite tracks helps to cement the fact that Sonic Youth are of the most influential bands of our times.

This album sums up the sound, feeling and energy of the rock scene of the early 1990’s. The raw production is a refreshing relief from the uber produced, targeted and marketed bands that continue to fill our airwaves. For those who know Sonic Youth, Hits Are For Squares is a journey back to the days of flannel shirts and grungy music. For those who don’t know them, this should be part of your education. The influence of Sonic Youth shouldn’t be underestimated, just take a look below at the names of the artists who chose to select their favorite tracks. These are people who were touched by Sonic Youth and who continue to define the sound and art of out times.

TRACKLIST
1. Bull in the Heather (selected by Catherine Keener)
2. 100% (selected by Mike D)
3. Sugar Kane (selected by Beck)
4. Kool Thing (selected by Radiohead)
5. Disappearer (selected by Portia de Rossi)
6. Superstar (selected by Diablo Cody)
7. Stones (selected by Allison Anders)
8. Tuff Gnarl (selected by Dave Eggers and Mike Watt)
9. Teenage Riot (selected by Eddie Vedder)
10. Shadow of a Doubt (selected by Michelle Williams)
11. Rain on Tin (selected by Flea)
12. Tom Violence (selected by Gus Van Sant)
13. Mary-Christ (selected by David Cross)
14. World Looks Red (selected by Chloe Sevigny)
15. Expressway to yr Skull (selected by The Flaming Lips)
16. Slow Revolution (new track, exclusive to this compilation

To compliment the release of Hits Are For Squares, a DVD of 1991: The Year Punk Broke is also included. A rare film to find, its refreshing to watch music played performed with such passion and optimism. You get a real sense that the Sonic Youth believe they’re on the cusp of something, as do Nirvana. Filmed just prior to Nirvana launching into the fame that they did, the notion of punk breaking into the wider public consciousness was accurate.

The film contains moments filmed backstage that chronicle life on the road, the endless circus of a tour and the feelings of frustration that it brings. You can sense the artists are hungry for something spectacular, dealing with the boredom and never ending changing venues and audiences.

The huge gap between festivals in the early 90’s is apparent too, at Reading Festival the absence of endless banners, brands and logos is noticeable, it gives the appearance that these events were less about turning profits and more about people gathering to celebrate music and the artists they love.

A lot of what is said during the film can be disregarded as nonsense, a stream of consciousness, but the passion, fun and energy of youth is an overriding theme. The camera work is ropey, audio recordings are far from slick, but this grass roots style of film making seems more honest. 1991: The Year That Punk Broke was filmed by Sonic Youth to chronicle their tour, it just so happened to capture a lot more than that.

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