The latest record by Kim Gordon harkens back to her glory years with Sonic Youth. In a way, that is. Ask any aging hipster who the defining bands of the alternative explosion were in the 80’s and 90’s you’ll get varied answers – but I’m willing to bet Sonic Youth will appear on 99.9% of those lists. For me personally, I became enamored with Sonic Youth in the wake of the song 100% and the album Dirty – both released in the wake of the grunge movement in the early 90’s. What appealed to me was abrasiveness in direct contrast with melodic sensibilities. In a way, that’s the yin / yang that I’ve been chasing ever since. After Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore dissolved their marriage – and Sonic Youth – I’ve followed each solo or new group offering. I like it all, truly. But the recently released The Collective by Kim Gordon gives me the chills that hearing Sonic Youth for the first time gave me.
The album is being called hip hop influenced, which at first struck me as a one note description. The album features beats, absolutely. But the songs don’t feel all that different from Gordon’s disaffected and iconic vocals on previous releases. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Justin Raisen and features additional production from Anthony Paul Lopez. The sound is one of word collages, trap beats, and hooky mantras. Gordon’s goal with this album (her 2nd official solo release) was to provide disruption and an escape. Every day happenings are noted in her lyrical musings, while the music is in your face. In other words, it is perfection.
BYE BYE opens the album on a strong note. Catchy beats while Kim recites various non sequiturs relating to purchases and needs. It is both catchy and abrasive. I Don’t Miss My Mind is my favorite song on the album and easily in my top 10 Kim Gordon sung songs of all time. A hip hop beat introduces the song with a shade of white noise mixed in. The lyrics have a Beat Generation quality to them, which I love. Her vocals are buried in sound f/x. Doomed hip hop from the alternative generation? Maybe. “I don’t miss my mind / Doctors and nurses, tingling eye / Bleeding inside, touch me there” I’m A Man has a similar vibe it is a neat trick having these songs sequenced together. Whether Kim is sympathetic or mocking the modern era stereotypical man is anyone’s guess. It’s a thought-provoking song that warrants repeated spins. Psychedelic Orgasm feels like a Sonic Youth song. Less beats, more noise. Sex, drugs, and rock n roll. It’s a perfect song in my humble opinion. Dream Dollar closes the record and what a song it is. A motorik masterpiece somewhat indebted to the late, great Neu! – it is an invigorating way to end a masterful album.
I can only hope I am pushing boundaries the way Kim Gordon is doing in her 70’s. I’ve listened to the album close to a hundred times since release and I keep finding new things to love. Highly recommended.
Verdict: Cutting Edge
For Fans of: Sonic Youth, St. Vincent, Aphex Twin, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Flaming Lips
Tracks:
- BYE BYE
- The Candy House
- I Don’t Miss My Mind
- I’m A Man
- Trophies
- It’s Dark Inside
- Psychedelic Orgasm
- Tree House
- Shelf Warmer
- The Believers
- Dream Dollar