Sonic Youth- yay, or nay?

[freedom's door]

For a while i was really into Sonic Youth, but lately all i really like are the last 3 albums, which seem to have a mellower, more melodic vibe to them. Some people swear by them, and others hate them. What do you guys think?
peace

[Tom Gilroy]

Not really very interested, but I've nothing against them.

[whatshisname]

I saw Lee Ranaldo(that's his name, right?), live, just him and a drummer. Senseless, useless noise. Pretentious? I'd say yes.

Don't get em wrong. I know that people need to express themselves, and that it's not always in a form that we're used to hearing, but this was just crap. Banging randomly on drums, and banging randomly on his guitar. I'd rather see Britney Spears, because at least she has boobs to look at, while hearing the horrible noise.

Most of the Sonic Youth fans that I went to school with were pretentious dicks, too. I always hated the whole alternative thing. They always acted like they were so high above you.

[freedom's door]

I've seen them 3 times. The first was during Lollapallooza ('95 i think?), and i wasn't very interested. The second was right after my favorite album of theirs (NYC Ghosts & Flowers) had just came out, and it was in a nice seated theater. I remember thinking that they were getting some beautiful guitar sounds, great use of delay and feedback.
Then i saw them last year in this sweatbox club in NYC, and just didn't feel it at all.
I have heard horror stories about when they play "solo" gigs, and your post confirms those stories.
peace

[Scott 74]

Always had some interest in picking up one of there albums, but they just haven't really caught my attention enough to listen......

[Nats]

my GF loves SY. i absolutely HATE them. todays her birthday though, and yesterday i bought her a SY dvd