Rather Ripped

Untitled

Rather Ripped is the title of an album by Sonic Youth, which was released on June 13, 2006. It is the last album the band had to release to fulfill their contractual obligation to Geffen Records. Jim O'Rourke did not take part in the making of the record. It was reported that some of the gear stolen in 1999 was surprisingly recovered and that it may have been used for recording of the album.[1] The album was described by Thurston Moore as "a super song record" containing "rockers and ballads". The album's working titles were "Sonic Life" and "Do You Believe in Rapture?" The name "Rather Ripped" comes from a now defunct record store in Berkeley, CA.

"Incinerate", a track from this album, has received significant radio airplay.

On the UK release of the album, two bonus tracks were included ("Helen Lundeberg" and "Eyeliner"), which were taken from an untitled single that was released shortly before the record. "Helen Lundeberg" is also available in the USA as a bonus track on the iTunes Music Store digital download edition of the album.

On the Japanese release of the album, three bonus tracks were included. In addition to the two UK bonus tracks ("Helen Lundeberg" and "Eyeliner"), the track "Do You Believe in Rapture?" (psychedelic mix) was also included.

"Rather Ripped" charted at number 64 on the UK Album Chart and at number 71 on the US Billboard Top 200. The album came 43rd in Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2006 [2] and ranked third in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2006 [3].

Track listing

Parentheses denote track vocalist.

1. "Reena" (Kim Gordon) – 3:47
2. "Incinerate" (Thurston Moore) – 4:55
3. "Do You Believe in Rapture?" (Moore) – 3:11
4. "Sleepin' Around" (Moore) – 3:42
5. "What a Waste" (Moore, Gordon) – 3:33
6. "Jams Run Free" (Moore) – 3:52
7. "Rats" (Lee Ranaldo) – 4:24
8. "Turquoise Boy" (Moore) – 6:14
9. "Lights Out" (Moore) – 3:32
10. "The Neutral" (Gordon) – 4:09
11. "Pink Steam" (Moore) – 6:57
12. "Or" (Moore) – 3:31
13. "Helen Lundeberg" (Moore) (iTunes and European bonus track) – 4:39
14. "Eyeliner" (Moore) (UK bonus track) – 5:44
15. "Do You Believe in Rapture?" (psychedelic mix) (Japanese bonus track) – 3:14

Album charts

Year	Chart	Position
2006	Official Norwegian Albums Chart	13
2006	Official Belgium Albums Chart	20
2006	Official French Albums Chart	25
2006	Official Australian Albums Chart	40
2006	Official Finland Albums Chart	40
2006	Official Sweden Albums Chart	46
2006	Official Swiss Albums Chart	59
2006	Official UK Albums Chart	64
2006	Billboard Top 200	71
2006	Official Irish Albums Chart	72
2006	Official German Albums Chart	79

Personnel

• Sonic Youth, John Agnello – production
• T.J. Doherty – recording
• Chris Allen, Lee Ranaldo – additional recording
• John Agnello – additional recording
• Don Fleming – additional vocal production
• John Agnello – mixing
• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Christopher Wool – art
• Amanda DeCadenet – band photography
• JP Robinson – front cover design
• Thurston Moore, Brandy Flower – design

External links

• Pitchfork Media report
• Pitchfork Media reports release date
• Los Angeles City Beat report
• CMJ interview, February 2006
• NYTimes Review
• Static And Feedback review