Bad Moon Rising [CD]

Expanded reissue of Sonic Youth's second full-length album, originally released in 1985. Includes four bonus tracks. The album is a fascinating examination of "the junction where hippie idealism [meets] the cold hard world," says guitarist Lee Ranaldo, "where Woodstock [meets] Altamont-Death Valley, Charles Manson, Brian Wilson, musicians, murderers, heroes and villains." It's original eight-song tapestry of droning guitar feedback, distant clattering percussion, and sullen vocals, all held together with interstitial noise loops and shadowy haze, ambles through a long, dark night before the feverish "Death Valley '69," driven by runaway guitar riffs and a frantic Thurston Moore/Lydia Lunch vocal duet, pounds the capstone into place. This reissue includes bonus tracks "Flower" and "Halloween," both from a 12- inch single of the same era. The sound collage morsels "Satan Is Boring" and "Echo Canyon" are your cue to begin moving toward the exit and get out while you can.