If anyone thought Sonic Youth were getting a little too comfortable, “The Eternal” proves they aren’t afraid of change even as they close in on 30 years of music-making. The album is SY’s first for legendary indie Matador Records after a nearly 20-year stint with Geffen, and the most striking thing about it is how hard it rocks. The disc’s blood-drawing rawer moments are tempered by “Malibu Gas Station”, which creeps so imperceptibly toward its raging guitars that they’re almost unnoticed until you’re caught in their undercurrent.
by Mark Emge
