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"When I was really young, and started playing the guitar, the first record I really got into was Sonic Youth's Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star, which my dad gave me when I was about 12. It was a big influence — showing that the guitar could be something more, that you could get all sorts of sounds out of it. That's the side of the guitar I really like."
Thanks for posting this. This is exactly my relationship to the record as well. A young 15-16 year old punk kid just learning to play guitar, and this record absolutely shifted everything about the way I viewed music and shaped my future development.
Like many my age at the time, I basically got into them because of Nirvana. I saw the video for "Bull," and had just read Nirvana's bio. Hearing Cobain mention them several times, and seeing Steve drumming with that maraca, I decided to pick up the album. I could not believe some of the things I heard. "What is all this feedback and amp noise doing on a record? Oh wait...crap...they are using it rhythmically as a song element?" Mind...blown... "Songs are supposed to have 'notes' and structure, right? What is this 'Androgynous Mind' doing then, and why do I love it so much?!?! Was that a random pick scratch?" Hearing the intro to "Starfield Road" for the first time as a young teen, and the feelings of sheer excitement and wonder it gave me, that is something I will remember until the day I die.
I totally understand where a lot of people are coming from with the hatred though. Being a bit older and already a fan, I could see where this album was possibly a bit of a let-down. Or even just discovering it later and comparing it to their full catalog. I just felt a need to respond and give it some love though, because it certainly holds a very special place in my heart.
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