Other than maybe Radiohead or Wilco, it's hard to think of any other band besides Sonic Youth that has had a more lauded and more well-recieved decade of work in the 00's. Since 2002, Sonic Youth have made some of the most admired albums in their long tenured career including that years' Murray Street, 2004's Sonic Nurse and 2006's Rather Ripped. Now comes The Eternal, their first album not on a major label in almost 25 years (and also first album with former Pavement guitarist Mark Ibold as a full time member), instead opting for release on the venerable and ultra respected Indie label Matador. Honestly though, what else would you expect from probably the most forward thinking and independent band ever to be assembled in the history of Rock music?

The Eternal is very similar in tone to the other albums Sonic Youth have released this decade, but after multiple listens I don't find it as nearly essential as I do Murray Street or Rather Ripped. But just like Sonic Nurse however, The Eternal is a damn fine album that has some truly excellent moments. Take for instance one of the best songs that Lee Ranaldo has ever contributed, the taut and solidly rockin' "What We Know" and Kim Gordon shines brighter than she usually does with first single "Malibu Gas Station" and the creepy album closer "Massage the History". Thurston Moore's offerings are fine as always, such as the epic "Antenna", but his last solo record and contributions to Rather Ripped were far better than anything here. Will The Eternal go down as one of Sonic Youth's best albums ever? I wouldn't think so, but it's' still better than most albums that come out these days and a band with its core still going strong 30 years on is nothing to scoff at.