which is the best SY book
 

goodbye 20th century or the psychic sonic youth story?

thanks

Which Sonic Youth Biography is better?

Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth

sonic books

short answer: Goodbye 20th Century

I've read them all multiple times. It's the best.

I like goodbye 20th century. so far i am half way through with it to bad i already know how it ends

Psychic Confusion is the Stevie Chick one, yeah? Utter shite.

Hands down,Goodbye 20th Century

I've only read Confusion is Next, and I didn't think it was all that great.

Goodbye 20th century

goodbye 20th century is definitely worth a read. go fer it.

i don't know how it compares to any other SY books...

Confusion was great when it was all we really had (along with Sonic Life). I've read Confusion probably more than any other book. Psychic was a step up, but Goodbye is way better. Sensational Fix is beautiful, but Goodbye is THEE biography (for now).

It's a great book, if you know how to read between the lines...

I'd argue that they're all worth reading -- Confusion is Next is interesting for the precedent it sets, though I don't like how it rushes to the finish line from Dirty and beyond. Psychic Confusion, despite the incredibly lame title (for a while I joked with myself about writing an SY book called 'Eternal Confusion' which is still a better title...), is certainly worth reading, but if you had to choose between it and Goodbye 20th Century, the latter is definitely the winner. G20C is a much deeper, personal look into the band's relationship, due to the author actually doing extensive interviews with all of the band members - Psychic Confusion probably would have been better received had it not more or less been published simultaneously with the (in my opinion) superior Goodbye 20th Century. I see multiple copies of PC around town marked down to $8 or so. I read PC in about half a day, and G20C took about half a week to consume. I definitely feel like I learned much more from G20C, but read them all if you can!

Confusion is Next is my favorite for the beginnings of the band, and I think it's incredibly well-written and the pictures rule; I've read it 3 or 4 times; if there was an updated version, it'd be the best. Goodbye 20 Century is the best overall I guess.

I've got Confusion is Next, Psychic Confusion and Sensational Fix as well. Psychic Confusion was kind of shit to read, however I've got it signed by Thurston, so I have a special place in my heart for this book.

goodbye 20th century

Confusion is Next wasn't too shabby, either. Just a bit dated when compared to Goodbye 20th Century.

no mention of the ultra-scholarly DAYDREAM NATION 33&1/3rd book? hahahaha. Did anyone else read it? It made me furious throughout the whole thing...

also SONIC LIFE is a neat collection of early interviews (I Have an extra copy for sale now) and I DREAMED OF NOISE is similarly sort of scrap-booky. But very nice to look at. Like a lo-fi SENSATIONAL FIX.

I have ranted here before about the ass-ness of the 33 1/3 book. It should
only be purchased if you find it on sale for a dollar.

what is with those 33 1/3 books? can anyone write one? i read the 'wowee zowee' one and it had a few tidbits of interesting information strewn throughout the awful, awful narrative provided by the author. what on earth makes authors think that people read books about classic records to find out more about the author? i can see inserting yourself into the overall story just to solidify where you're coming from as a fan of the art, but jeez...show some restraint...a book is not a blog...

The "Reign in Blood" and "Paul's Boutique" books were actually really good.
Because of the whole "actually discussing the artist/art" thing.

the ENDTRODUCING one was alright, but it was basically just a really long interview. They're stupid. But I feel I SHOULD own it as a fan. Sigh.

what on earth makes authors think that people read books about classic records to find out more about the author?

I read the Stone Roses one and it suffered the same fate. Anytime you are going to write something about something so close to peoples heart that is what is going to happen. The same is with writing Sonic Youth books.

An army of fanboys are going to scrutinze every word. It probably isn't worth it.

I really enjoyed the trout mask replica 33 1/3 book, it had like 4 things in it I'd never heard before, so it was worth the $5 used price.

But, yes, I think anyone can write one, I think you just have to apply with them and send em a writing sample.

Confusion is the only full one I've read. I remember liking it, but not liking that it was dated to EJSTANS, good beginning, cool pictures, basically what's already been said.

I'd like to read this Goodbye 20th Century one though, I'll have to remember it.

Their section in Our Band Could Be Your Life is pretty cool too, albeit brief. So if someone's hankering for a quickie overview of the band, that's pretty good. Good book in general for the other bands.

I like the 33 1/3 books for what they are... essentially mini magazines devoted to (more or less) an album I like. They're perfect commuter fodder (subways and buses).

I don't like to gauge books' worthiness based on where I'd read 'em, but they do have a pulp-like feel to them. And the injection of a "fan" into the mix, when well written, is fine... I didn't mind Colin Meloy's Replacements book (but I'm a Decemberists fan).

And I liked the 100 page Shadow interview that was Entroducing.

Some are TERRIBLE. I keep picking up Daydream and thumbing through it then putting it back down. I just can't imagine it being enjoyable... and it sounds like I'm right. [smirk]

And G20C is the better book, but I love the dated optimism of Confusion Is Next... having spent my formative years in the "Alternative Era" - a book without the cynical edge looking back on that is kinda fun.

"I Dreamed Of Noise" is my personal favourite Sonic Youth book because the band does most of the talking.

I just bought Goodbye 20th Century for 6 euros at FAME in Amsterdam... of all places.
They still have a couple of copies if any Dutch boardies are interested.

I have only read goodbye 20th Century, but I have heard through very reliable sources that the other has lass facts wrong and is SY's preferred version. I have to get it now so I can come to my own conclusion. I do adore Goodbye 20th though. I like david's writing style a lot

exactly! Re: confusion is...