Washing Machine is like, the exact definition of mid-tier Sonic Youth to me. That ain’t a bad thing; it’s Sonic Youth, so it’s still a good album, relatively speaking. But as a prelude to their post-90s sound, Washing Machine lacks an identity and strength when compared to their later refinements of that style. Even the album’s sequel, A Thousand Leaves, continues the trend of softer melodies but pairs them with breezy, psychedelic dirges to create something more distinct, memorable, and no worse for the redundant space those new ideas replaced.

The consummate songwriting of Washing Machine would be fine if the melodies or moments were among the best of their career, but other than the beautiful, listless wandering of “The Diamond Sea,” the album falls short of that level. “Becuz” gets a mention becuz it has the same beat as Patti Smith‘s “Because the Night,” which also has the word “because” in its title. Eerie. “No Queen Blues” is another Thurston Moore rock-stomper, a little less punk than “Dirty Boots,” but as endearingly childish. “Panty Lies” gets a mention for sucking, and “Little Trouble Girl” gets a mention for carrying on some of the ethereal, dark fantasy atmosphere of EVOL. Washing Machine is fine; it just needs more standouts.