NYC Ghosts & Flowers isn’t as bad as some reviews would lead you to believe, such as a particularly fucking awfully-written one that I likely don’t need to name. I believe it comes closest to matching the atmosphere of EVOL, something no other Sonic Youth album has attempted since. It paints a similar picture of a lonely, nighttime New York City. There are more people around the city this time, but they’re all just as alienated and lonesome.

My biggest problem with NYC Ghosts & Flowers is that it’s a very stripped-down album. The lyrics are a primary focus of the music, with the band admitting to being inspired by beat poetry, and these are among the weakest lyrics Sonic Youth have ever written.

The minimalist music can sometimes save the poor lyrics, such as “Free City Rhymes” and especially the title track, which is one of the best songs Lee Ranaldo has composed. He’s the band’s greatest poet, so it’s no surprise he delivered the greatest song. He was made for this album. It’s too bad he didn’t write more songs for it. When he softly says in the title track, “he’s bit the dust now, one of the chosen few,” I get chills.

An all-right album. Some saving graces, and the fact that it’s a unique entry in Sonic Youth’s library means that some people will really go for its style more than their other work. If you want to get into Sonic Youth, then there are many, many better places to check out, first.