I think of most SY albums as concept albums - obviously not in the sense that they tell a story (i think the album is a terrible format for that kinda of indulgence anyway) but in the sense that they all strike up particular images and emotions.
A few personal ideas:
Bad Moon Rising - Someone on the board said it was the "soundtrack to a punk horror road film', everytime I hear it I can't help but see desert highways, and far out ghost towns, all backdropped by a rising sunset.
EVOL - Continues this road theme. Like the liner notes describe, 2 teenages going off to discover America. "I left home for experience caved suk for honesty on my chest" still remains my favourite Sonic Youth line ever.
Daydream Nation - The Perfect soundtrack to a Richard Linklater film. One can imagine hanging out with friends, getting drunk, stoned and staying up to the early hours talking shit. The burning candle says it all. I always thought of this album as the perfect elegy to the Reagan years and to the 80's.
I could go on, but those are the records that seem to have the most conceptional connections. I can't pinpoint where most of these images and ideas come from...they just seem to be there in the music.
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....Of Course its some kinda cosmic payback for being too ironic!
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