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Soundcheck

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
  • Sonic Youth
    Sonic Youth

    Alt-Rock of Ages

    Sonic Youth recorded "Daydream Nation" nearly 20 years ago. But the album’s impact is still being felt in indie rock circles. Today on Soundcheck: we talk with band members, and critics, about how a collection of dissonant guitar noise became a seminal rock album. Also: Pink Martini reinterprets cosmopolitan cabaret for the modern age. We speak with the band's founding members.

The Summer of Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth’s “Daydream Nation” is considered one of the most influential albums in rock. We talk with band-members Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley about the record's genesis, and why the band’s now performing it, in its entirety, on stage.

Sonic Youth will be performing the Daydream Nation album on July 28, 2007 at the McCarren Park Pool in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Visit the Sonic Youth website for more information.

SonicYouth.com

Chronic Youth

Sonic Youth recorded “Daydream Nation” nearly 20 years ago. But the album’s impact is still being felt in indie rock circles today. Greg Kot, pop critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Michael Azerrad, author of "Our Band Could Be Your Life," join us to discuss how a collection of dissonant guitar noise became a seminal rock album.

Greg Kot's writing for The Chicago Tribune
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground

A Cosmopolitan Cocktail

The 12-piece ensemble Pink Martini carries listeners on exotic musical journeys, from a ballroom in Havana to a cabaret in Paris. Founder/pianist Thomas Lauderdale, and vocalist China Forbes, join us to talk about the band's latest album, "Hey Eugene!"

Pink Martini is performing at Carnegie Hall on June 13, 2007. Visit their website for more information.

PinkMartini.com

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.