After the regressive, low-key
Experimental Jet Set, Trash & No Star
,
Sonic Youth
appeared to be floundering somewhat, but
Washing Machine
erased any notion that the band had run out of things to say. Easily their most adventurous, challenging, and best record since
Daydream Nation
, the album finds
returning to the fearless exploration of their
SST
records, but the group has found a way to work that into tighter song structures. Not only are the songs more immediate than most of the material on their earlier records, the sound here is warm and open, making
their most mature and welcoming record to date. It's not a commercial record, nor is it a
pop
record, but
encompasses everything that made
innovators, and shows that they can continue to grow, finding new paths inside their signature sound. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine