Concert review: Sonic Youth at House of Blues in Dallas, July 15

by Teresa Gubbins

DALLAS — More than 800 people participated in a noise-induced mind-meld at the House of Blues on Wednesday night, orchestrated by post-rockers Sonic Youth.

Touring to promote a new CD on Matador Records called The Eternal, SY virtually hypnotized the crowd by deploying wave after wave of pure blissful din. It's shocking to think that this band formed in 1981; they still haven't lost their youthful innocence or disregard for convention. But what they've gained is a level of precision and sonic depth you'd expect from a classical orchestra. Their music possesses countless layers not necessarily evident on first listen -- like a photograph where you magnify it and find out it's made of thousands of small dots.

"Walking Blue," from the new album, was a good example. It started out with a Beach Boys-like sweetness, then blossomed into a full-on instrumental jam, all hands in, four guitars playing what sounded like thousands of guitar notes being strummed at the same time. But it wasn't loud, it was complex, exuding a "wisdom of the ages" richness that moved many in the audience.

"I just shed some tears," whispered DJ Mark Ridlen. "I feel like I just saw the last 20 years of my life."

When the band started "Malibu Gas Station," it sounded like they were just tuning up their guitars -- like an incoherent collection of notes. But then the notes aligned, and coalesced into a melody, and they were off and running on a song. It was as if you had witnessed them write a song together before your eyes; it was really cool.

Much of what makes Sonic Youth special is its commitment to authenticity and its refusal to pander. When the fivesome first came on stage, they did so silently, like classical musicians: Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo methodically strapped on their guitars, as did new-ish bassist Mark Ibold, while drummer Steve Shelley climbed behind his kit. Kim Gordon, in a shiny platinum-colored minidress, stood her ground, looking into the audience respectfully, hardly acknowledging the random screams of "I love you, Kim!"

Other than a few older songs such as "Silver Rocket" thrown in at the end of the set, most of the show was dedicated to a straight-out rendition of the new disc. Moore wished a happy birthday to Johnny Thunders, deceased member of the New York Dolls, and paid homage to poet Gregory Corso in "Leaky Lifeboat (for Gregory Corso)." He also shared that they'd done some neighborhood hopping, asking the crowd what they thought of Webb Chapel Extension, before slyly acknowledging the oppressive heat.

"Summertime in Dallas is like heaven on earth," he said.

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