It’s better to burn out than fade away – a phrase that immediately means oh so much (too much?) to this particular alt.rock generation, and one that’s been proved right or wrong depending on the subject of the metaphor and personal perspective. For one Sonic Youth must be wondering how lightening can strike twice, having their thunder stolen by the Pixies again, they who burnt out while the ‘Youth flickered, faded, reignited and waded on through the art-rock soup. Nobody put the Pixies out properly though, they went and caught a new spark, got heralded as the beginning and end of everything despite the waistline and even beat Sonic Youth to their first DVD release by a mere month or so. When the fact of the matter is that if Black Francis and Co were still making original music together it would wilt next to the Thurston ‘n’ Kim show’s consistently and unforgivably persistent evolution. But that’s a debate for another place and time.
“All videos created during Sonic Youth’s ongoing corporate swim,” states the back cover with a cheeky smirk, “SY’s pre-sellout ‘independent’ videography forthcoming”. They’ve certainly embraced the beast to present a brimming full collection with every last bell and whistle here. Seriously, this is like a completist nerd’s first wet dream; 23 videos, not counting the extras, most with one if not two commentaries from the band and directors, a couple of bonus clips, a fan letter film, ‘Sonic Spiel’ – a documentary featuring Kathleen Hannah and Mike Watt amongst others, and Spike Jonze’s excellent extended illustration of his ‘Youth memories using photographs. And a couple of other things too, naturally. The only thing missing is live footage (aside from clips in the documentary), but we mustn’t be picky. We can only presume the pre-sellout collection will come on Super-8 tape or something.
The videos themselves, in the first instance, hit as either painfully stubbornly cheap or washing major label Dollars down the drain. There’s no ‘Heart Shaped Box’ or ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ on here, sir. But further viewings reveal a close involvement, careful thought or messages and stories behind each one. And of course you get some of their most satisfyingly driving moments as the soundtrack. ‘Tunic (Song For Karen)’ with its letter-rearranging and cut-up lo-fi shots, ‘Mary-Christ’ and its beautiful jaggedly directed performance, the ridiculous ‘Scooter & Jinx’ with its lesbian porn pastiche, ‘100%’ seeing their most big-budget effort in cutesy alternative culture teen-flick style, and ‘Youth Against Fascism’s in your face cuts and pastes. Not to mention some of their more recent, stylishly arranged visuals, and the Macauley Culkin staring ‘Sunday’. Such a lovingly crafted haul. A must for anyone who gives a damn, and anyone who wants to.