The artwork of The Eternal is accompanied by a black and white photo of a foggy-looking Johnny Thunders, the late guitarist / professional junkie of the New York Dolls. With his sloppy playing, Thunders was a childhood hero for the members of Sonic Youth. The recently deceased Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton is also honored at the thanks. There are signs on the wall for this album that is going through
… the old-fashioned way. With the help of a new, third guitarist Mark Ibold, the Youth is building an imposing guitar wall. Thurston Moore's voice is still as drawn-out as in his college days and Kim Gordon still crows like a precocious adolescent on Calming The Snake. With this album, Sonic Youth goes back to the work the band recorded for Geffen in the nineties. Sonic Youth now releases the more experimental albums on their own SYR Records. This album, released by Matador, however, sounds quite accessible and that only benefits the listening pleasure. (PdK)more
