Evol

Description

1986’sEvolwasSonic Youth’sthird studio effort, significant for one fairly obvious reason: the addition of Steve Shelley behind the kit. With his help, the group transitions from their no wave roots toward a more linear, accessible rock ‘n’ roll sound here highlighted by tracks like “Green Light” and “Expressway to Yr. Skull.”Evolalso features the first real “guest appearance” on aSonic Youthalbum as Mike Watt of The Minutemen and Firehose fame contributes bass to “In The Kingdom #19.”
“These songs say dreams are real. I can’t think of a finer guide than “E.V.O.L.” for a young person just discovering the wide world. Here are songs of total exploration, no positioning oneself on the dark side or the anti-dark side. Here are songs of total freedom. Give them to your little sister on her birthday.” – album liner notes, Lisa Crystal Carver
Evol…mark[s] the true departure point of Sonic Youths musical evolution, says Pitchfork, who place the album in the #31 slot of their Top 100 Albums of The 1980s. In measured increments, Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo…bring form to the formless, tune to the tuneless, and with the help of Steve Shelleys drums…, [impose] melody and composition on their trademark dissonance.
Sonic YouthEvolTrack Listing:
1. Tom Violence2. Shadow of a Doubt3. Star Power4. In the Kingdom5. Green Light6. Death To Our Friends7. Secret Girls8. Marilyn Moore9. Expressway to Yr. Skull