The Eternal
by Sonic Youth
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2009
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 78
  3. Negative: 17 out of 78

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. xtal
    Aug 20, 2013
    9
    Pitchfork can keep their 6.8 and 2009 obsession with the glo-fi fad; this ranks (and rocks) just as well as any of SY's excellent 2000s albums and their late 80s triptych. It will likely remain underrated for years to come because it lacks some of the hazy production techniques of their three prior albums; especially the tuneful (and excellent in its own right) Rather Ripped.
  2. Gregor
    Jun 10, 2009
    8
    Great record, don't know why some people thinks this sucks, they rock on this.
  3. SönkeF.
    Jun 17, 2009
    9
    Absolutely brilliant.
  4. AlanS.
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    This is a terrific album...so much complexity and aural reward for multiple listens. They keep getting better with age!
  5. RishiG.
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    It continues the renaissance of Sonic Youth in this decade and builds on it. Their most consistent record since the glory days.
  6. nedp.
    Jun 15, 2009
    10
    This is without a doubt their best release since Daydream Nation.
  7. FelipeRS
    Mar 11, 2010
    9
    Perfect.
  8. DaughterP.
    Jun 11, 2009
    9
    Big improvement from Rather Ripped. the addition of Mark Ibold brings some of his traditional indie rock style and influence to SY's experiments.
  9. JamesB.
    Jun 10, 2009
    10
    From start to finish, the most listenable album since Daydream. Not better, but at times just as good. Matured but still no one can touch the intensity and focused nature of SY. An incredible accomplishment thirty years down the road.
  10. aarchtitect
    Jun 12, 2009
    9
    Their most cohesive album since Washing Machine. The Gordons haven't lost a step or missed a beat despite of--or because of--their domestic bliss. You still need your ear plugs to hear them properly. I'm most impressed with Steve Shelley's driving tribal beats.
  11. ScottG.
    Jun 25, 2009
    10
    Inventive summation of the past; creativity that has evolved over the past three decades; excellent hard edged sound in an era where quality rock albums are few and far between.
  12. AlbertoP.
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    Super!
  13. JackAn.
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    Fantastic!
  14. FelipeRS
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    Perfect.
  15. E
    Jun 11, 2009
    9
    This is not, on first two listenings, a perfect classic SY album akin to Daydream, Sister, EVOL, Dirty, Goo, or Murray Street. It is however, as good as excellent albums such as Nurse, Washing Machine, Rather Ripped, and A Thousand Leaves, and stronger than Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star, and far superior to NYC Ghosts and Flowers. It is a meaty representation of many of the This is not, on first two listenings, a perfect classic SY album akin to Daydream, Sister, EVOL, Dirty, Goo, or Murray Street. It is however, as good as excellent albums such as Nurse, Washing Machine, Rather Ripped, and A Thousand Leaves, and stronger than Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star, and far superior to NYC Ghosts and Flowers. It is a meaty representation of many of the band's evolved and codified strengths, with a few welcome nods to their distant past in texture. There are moments that vividly recall EVOL, while at the same time the album represents SY in the present with succinct yet expansive conviction. It is true that there may not be many (or any) new tricks on this release, or left turns, for a band that used to be known for left turns. In some ways, a Sonic Youth album is now as predictable as stronger latter Ramones albums were, or dare I say a good AC/DC disc - we know what we love about the band, we expect it, we want it...so we get it. It isn't formula alone, because there is still so much vitality in the performances (always), and the songwriting (from time to time.) No one does noise guitar with as much beauty as they do. And Steve Shelley is a slamming drummer... I like it more than Rather Ripped actually....quite a bit more. A fine album by a great rock band.… Expand
  16. Davidf
    Jun 17, 2009
    7
    Breaks no new ground, not as good as 'Rather Ripped.' Enjoyable just the same.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Filter
    72
    All the things you love about Sonic Youth are here, just a little fewer and further between than you'd like. [Spring 2009, p.93]
  2. Uncut
    60
    Good, but the exciting notion of a genuine career left turn feels increasingly unlikely.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The Eternal offers a sort of survey course in SY history, careering from their early art-school atonality to the more melodically sophisticated compositions of later years. The problem is, none of it looks forward; in spelunking through the past, the band seems to have forgotten to unearth anything new.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »