Smart Bar Chicago 1985 cover

Smart Bar Chicago 1985

Sonic Youth · 2012

67 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock · indie rock · experimental rock

A raw and chaotic live performance capturing the unfiltered energy of Sonic Youth's early years.

Why this album works

This album is significant as it preserves a snapshot of Sonic Youth's live prowess, influencing countless indie and noise rock artists. It reflects the band's impact on the New York underground scene and has been praised for revealing the raw essence of their performance style, which resonates with fans and critics alike.
Career context
Released in 2012, 'Smart Bar Chicago 1985' documents a formative concert from Sonic Youth's early days, just before their breakthrough album 'Daydream Nation'. This live recording showcases their experimental sound during a period when they were solidifying their place in the alternative rock scene, following the critical success of 'EVOL' in 1986.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Hallowe’en 5:42
  • 2 Death Valley ’69 Standout 7:20
  • 3 Intro / Brave Men Run (In My Family) 4:51
  • 4 I Love Her All the Time 5:20
  • 5 Ghost Bitch 5:55
  • 6 I’m Insane 5:20
  • 7 Kat ’n’ Hat 3:36
  • 8 Brother James 2:50
  • 9 Kill Yr Idols Standout 2:32
  • 10 Secret Girl 3:13
  • 11 Flower 2:36
  • 12 The Burning Spear 5:01
  • 13 Expressway to Yr Skull Standout 9:04
  • 14 Making the Nature Scene 3:42

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata