Reviews

Though {$Sonic Youth}'s first EP is the least of their major works and was the only one to not receive reissue in 1995 by {@DGC}, it's not a complete blunder. Awkward and rather formative, the record sounds like a fusion of {\no wave} and an early {@Factory} band. A couple tracks ({&"The Burning Spear,"} {&"I Don't Want to Push It"}) match the best of {^Confusion Is Sex}, steeping itself in death {\disco} and minimal scree. {$Thurston Moore} yelps, {$Kim Gordon} rambles, and the guitars go plink-plink-plink. Tumbling and tinny tribal drums are provided by {$Richard Edson}, who would be seen as an ill-intentioned parking attendant four years later in {#Ferris Bueller's Day Off}. [{^Sonic Youth} was finally given the reissue treatment by {@Geffen} in 2006, arriving in a deluxe edition that featured a remastered version of the EP, early live recordings, and extensive liner notes by {$Glenn Branca}, {$Richard Edson} ({$the Youth}'s drummer in the early '80s), and {$Byron Coley}. Though not nearly as lavish as the {^Goo} and {^Dirty} reissues, it's a fitting way to honor {$Sonic Youth}'s first release.] ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide