After the regressive, low-key
Experimental Jet Set, Trash & No Star,
Sonic Youth appeared to be floundering somewhat, but
Washing Machine erased any notion that the band had run out of things to say. Easily their most adventurous, challenging, and best record since
Daydream Nation, the album finds
Sonic Youth returning to the fearless exploration of their SST records, but the group has found a way to work that into tighter song structures. Not only are the songs more immediate than most of the material on their earlier records, the sound here is warm and open, making
Washing Machine their most mature and welcoming record to date. It's not a commercial record, nor is it a pop record, but
Washing Machine encompasses everything that made
Sonic Youth innovators, and shows that they can continue to grow, finding new paths inside their signature sound.