It's just not fair. On June 12, a brand-new double-disc edition of Sonic Youth's 1988 Daydream Nation will be released in all fine record shops nationwide. Which means that I'll have one more deluxe Sonic Youth album to gaze at longingly, trying to convince myself that spending around $93 for an album I already own is, in fact, wiser than wise, which, by the way, is simply not possible. Adding insult to injury, and racial slur to insult, a four (4) LP set will also be issued by the band's own Goofin' Records. I only pray that Warren Buffett will appreciate a newly-remastered "Providence" as much as I would.
The bonuses on this one look nice, but I do have one gripe that shall extend to all multiple-disc reissues: why (oh why) stick one extra track at the end of the disc containing the original album, an album that is presumably a "watershed moment in music history"? Remember the end of "Eliminator Jr."? Are the last few seconds of that song something we want to follow up with a home demo? Maybe if there's still enough room left, they could squeeze in a few seconds of Lee Ranaldo clipping his toenails?
Disc two is largely a collection of live tracks pulled from various performances during the "Daydream Nation" tour. It contains live versions of every Daydream track but mixes up the order to disorient and dismay you. The final four tracks are studio covers that have long collected dust in ill-fated tribute albums of years past. I think the least Geffen can do for my having written this news item is to send me a copy of the reissue and a lock of Thurston's hair. He won't miss it.
Tracklisting:
Disc 1: Original Album
