Sonic Youth, "The Diamond Sea" (1995)

www.discogs.co...

[@richmxnd_]

This isn't a song. It's an experience.

[@rosteinke859]

Fourth Dimensional Sound

[@floridaleisure9847]

We are aliens

[@sugmintub]

So true.

[@erikangelini0]

With this sound we are inside in a surrealistic black hole...

[@janetwilhelm4435]

Ethereal.

[@digaodesantana]

It's July 2022, 3 to 6 months ago, a guy who sells rock tshirts in the street near my house here in Rio De Janeiro had only one of this Tshirt, I Don't wear a rock Tshirt for at least 15 years. I was a little high and thought, "fuck, It's a Sonic Youth Tshirt!". Bought It. Every now and then I use It. Every time I wear It someone say turn to me and say: "Thats a hell of a album."

[@briancullen9575]

I’ve always loved that sound at 19:17, like the amp said “I can’t do anything more.”

[@flashbackflip]

Exactly! 😄 never thought anyone else feels that too 💚

[@SurfinCook352]

I owned a 1977 Datson Pickup Extend Cab when this came out. Blue with a white topper. You could see the road through the rust in the floor boards. I think I first had the tape, then the CD. Used to play this and just drive around NJ. Watching the road go by my feet as I did. I mounted 2 6×9 speakers on the metal bar on in the extended cab part. Blasted right into your soul.

[@ambientexpanse]

Wow!

[@calphurnia2007]

I used to be crazy about this song in the 90's. They actually played this on the radio.

[@agentbob4562]

And mtv also but the shortened version. I wouldn’t bother looking it up...

[@foxybingo1112]

Would be interesting if they played the whole thing on the radio

[@drillbit8280]

Now they cut every song over 4 minutes down.. smh

[@chadwickmcfaggins9734]

@@drillbit8280 now every song played on radio has to be short and snappy. dont forget the brain frying autotune and repetitive meaningless lyrics.

[@blackpanda32]

90's were awesome

[@godstomper]

I remember serving the whole band breakfast. I was like holy fuck, that's sonic youth.

[@celeste1324]

whoa

[@godstomper]

@Arthur Frayn ya but its Sonic youth.

[@ciroprado2943]

sonic youth represents perfectly the melancholia of the 90's when we used to have long blank spaces of time with nothing to do trying to fulfill it somehow before the anxious timeline & notifications era

[@matiasescarlon1864]

Well said.

[@larrycooleyjr7948]

Well said

[@supersasquatch]

Well sai

[@tubodd]

at that time it was still possible to think that the world had at least a shadow of meaning...

[@jeravincer]

yes that's how i remember the 1990s too - an innocent time, where we were forced to become acquainted with that most strange of individuals - ourselves.

[@JUDAHCOOK300]

My mum got me that t-shirt for me when I was a baby. PS I have the coolest mum of all time.

[@shuebohx9602]

+Judah Cook I would say so!!!

[@ChuKuKuChuu]

+Jeff Ramos : Cooking* your mom lol

[@nickfanzo]

I had one too but I was 16

[@DawgPound86]

wish my mum had done the same for me :)

[@anamendes1507]

I got this one tooooo!!! well i had it!!!!! bought it when i was 13 m went to watch em live!!!!!! in the 90´s!!!!

[@soleilrouge1966]

Sometimes when the social connexion is becoming too much to bear, the only thing left to do is close yourself and let your heart beat itself into psychical nothingness. When I'm really down, this song gives me the strength to dive under the pain. I'm very grateful for it.

[@willtobias5280]

I hear ya red sun

[@wonkylommiter6364]

That segment from 0.01 to 19.34 is just soo awesome!

[@thomasjbrunn2734]

no its a nice piece

[@davidwhite5062]

Reading that just made my day

[@renatorodriguez3100]

0:00

[@arch_dornan6066]

Whats so bad about 19:34 - 19:36 ?

[@regolithia]

@@arch_dornan6066 it's just absolutely dreadful. 00:00 - 19:34 is clearly superior

[@interpol31290]

Play this at my funeral. All of it.

[@adamnelson4859]

And put psylocibin in all the hors doeuvres. Those that attended you're passing would be changed.

[@interpol31290]

@@adamnelson4859 forever changed haha

[@KM-zw9qb]

i'll be the stranger playing this at your funeral

[@interpol31290]

@@KM-zw9qb thanks K M. Won't be for a while yet hopefully ; )

[@meesterrain]

Same.

[@lennyrose5852]

When I was 13 my favorite was “Schizophrenia”. Now at 18 it’s The Diamond Sea. Time takes it’s crazy toll

[@sesametoast420]

my favourite now is schizophrenia, aha. maybe it'll change to this too.

[@MarbleClouds]

hello fellow adult.

[@charlieblfa9303]

schizophrenia, diamond sea and teenage riot are easily some of their best songs

[@thoughtripper7491]

2

[@crazylikekrazy417]

@@charlieblfa9303 never forget 100%

[@simonwayland8441]

In Fall 1995 I dropped out of university and moved to Amsterdam. Didnt know anybody there. I used to go for long walks alone and just get lost wandering the canals while listening to this song over and over on my walkman. Dreaming of the girl that I somehow let slip away...

[@endcreditsNLO]

Every time I hear this it takes me to my happy place, 23 years old teaching English in Thailand. On sports day my students wanting me to play "traditional English songs" me realising that we no longer had traditional songs. I'd bought this on cassette a week or so before so put this on the classroom stereo. Transfixed, is all I can say. At the end I told my class to go home or go practice sports, "today's lesson ends here" Sends shivers down my spine and soul

[@apollomemories7399]

"me realising that we no longer had traditional songs." Really? That was because you knew nothing. Why didn't you know about Richard & Linda Thompson, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, June Tabor, Anne Briggs, Steeleye Span, The Woods Band, Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, Sandy Denny, Bert Jansch, Pentangle, Strawbs, just to name a few?

[@endcreditsNLO]

@@apollomemories7399 A bit accusatory there ain't ya? Those artists you've listed may be traditional English songs but not well known, maybe what I should have said is that we no longer have traditional English songs that anyone can sing or even name upon being asked "sing us one of your traditional songs" except you, of course.

[@apollomemories7399]

@@endcreditsNLO Quote: "but not well known." Good grief! You must have been living in a remote cave for the last 60 years. Perhaps it would be beneficial to you to learn of the Topic Records label, the oldest independent record company in the world, established in 1939. These artists you think are "not well known" are in fact very well known from Canada all the way to New Zealand. Fairport Convention host their own festival annually and is attended by patrons from all over the world. Martin Carthy has been a personal friend of Bob Dylan since 1962, from when Dylan first visited London in December 1962. Carthy has played all over US and Canada many times, as has Richard Thompson, who has toured north American since 1970 to this day. He was based in Santa Monica for many years as his wife managed the famous McCabe's Guitar Shop, a landmark for acoustic folk music since 1958. There are countless young artists carrying the traditional torch and you surely must have heard of The Unthanks, two sisters from England and Lankum from Dublin. I think you have a great deal to learn on this sunject.

[@endcreditsNLO]

@@apollomemories7399 you can post a wall of text that no cunt can be bothered to read, it ain't gonna help your lost cause though. However many artists and songs you say I must have heard don't count unless everyone knows them because they have been handed down, and given our history they should be centuries old rather than Steve Hillage wannabes from the'70s

[@stuartkirkland9255]

​@@apollomemories7399got quite an eclectic taste in music but never heard of any of those.

[@jjdtierney]

Just beautiful. I got into Sonic Youth late. In ignorance, in the early 90's, I had a chance to see them play in Amherst but instead hitch-hiked hundreds of miles North to Ottawa to see the Vibrators play a totally lack lustre gig in a local bar. Silly me. I was in my 30's by the time I fell for this band. And it took me a couple years thereafter to appreciate this song. But now it's one of my faves. Sad that it's finally all over. But thanks for all the great albums. And thanks for this song.

[@ChadARoberts]

No worries Jj, just enjoy the moment. I'll be 34 next month and I just got hooked on SY a few years ago. I grew up in a conservative area of Ohio and SY was waaayyyy...outside of the norm. Now I live in Dayton and alternative rock, i.e. the Pixies, Breeders and of course Guided By Voices, are my linchpins of rock and roll. Just roll with it and enjoy!

[@agentbob4562]

It's never too late Jj. I live in little ol' New Zealand I have to say Sonic Youth is the act I have seen the most times live... be it a smokey basement with a lazyboy and headphones or a summers day spent at the beach this song is nothing but good memories....

[@fando575]

after 14:47 of song is becoming a splendid turmoil, a sublime chaos. It's very very difficult to compose such as this state of art. Just before the end of song, there is a serenity portrayal of crazy diamond sea.

[@AnesCurukovic]

I listen to it every night before I fall a sleep. Sometimes if I have time I read "In Cold Blood" and than fall in tranquility of it all. For me it's like lullaby...

[@xero6396]

This was the first time I heard it and I was amazed that after it finished I was very relaxed: I'm normally so wired.

[@biffbuttsavage]

Just get back together one last time and play this in my face that I may die peacefully. Jesus.

[@mr_unsane]

biffbuttsavage they did Coachella a few years back, OMG fucking A++++ in of the best shows I have ever seen

[@danielmckeon2261]

Shred Durst I deed my friend.

[@FGSRFunLol]

Never marry your bandmates.

[@kendalllingard6936]

@@FGSRFunLol how about never cheat on your partner

[@celeste1324]

YES

[@Bork1960]

Many years later I rediscovered this on a mini disc player. Memories and music from years past rediscovered. Does not hold a candle to what is on terrestrial radio today. I am 61 and still love it.

[@MrLazymagnet]

Coming down on acid in high school had this song on repeat trying to sleep on my friends bedroom floor, went some strange places

[@SmilePls666]

Like what ? Sleepin in his washroom floor?

[@murphyjulian7393]

I know exactly what you mean, the 90s were great!!

[@murphyjulian7393]

This was my meditation music

[@downallyourstreets]

can't sleep on acid... that's what the junk is for...

[@celeste1324]

wow

[@christophoto22]

Only SY could write and play a song like this! They proved that they could play it for ever! We miss you !

[@nesso011]

That segment from 2:25 to 4:50 is just perfect.

[@BrandonBailey2113]

+Nestor Espitia Agreed.

[@reneefernandez3123]

Most certainly...sonic youths usual feedback trademark.

[@igorrodrigues97.]

the guitar noise, the rythm, and the bass nailed perfect, its beautiful to listen

[@MechaRandom42]

🪞 This song takes me right back to diving around Boulder with mom going to concerts, meeting someone outside a concert and falling in love. Then seeing 😢him again after all this time adter just missing each other for decades. There are a few of Thurson's songs that always tie me back to this momet ❤

[@drpico]

I have a cat on my lap and this song..i don't ask for much but I sure as hell get it.

[@joshconanan]

#relate

[@Whyforthememes]

The opening is the most beautiful guitar riff I've ever heard,

[@jeravincer]

I believe this is SY's masterpiece album - unmatched across all their works.

[@soartso]

Their whole catalog is a masterpiece.

[@ChadARoberts]

I love this song...One of my favorite albums is Daydream Nation, but this song takes it to another level!

[@gabrielamoncada1405]

Lo mejor de lo mejor

[@bassismdonesimply]

It warms my heart to read all of these related stories in the comment section. As for me - it's simply the best tune of the 90s. Legendary band, an everlasting wellspring of wilderness and creativity, and a late gem of the true underground.

[@ericmaundry9127]

I own a washing machine.

[@sieghowdy8653]

I actually own one too. What a crazy coincidence.

[@ferkyderky]

thought i was the only one

[@greaseitandsqueezeit]

I own two and I keep them on the front porch.

[@sweettendercharles1556]

I don't own one, that's why I listen to this album instead

[@andreabritton7415]

@@sweettendercharles1556 dries my clothes right up

[@Jason-vp8nd]

I literally used to fall asleep to this when I was a teenager

[@675Marcelo]

I feel much more myself listening to this song, i'm not even kidding

[@calvezphilippe874]

Un truc de dingue dés lors que la voix finis et rejaillis par bonheur et joie. My daugther propose me her sound ,that sound, i hear that sound, découverte intégrale and i discover " la mère de diamants". L'amer ou la mer de sels gemmes, jeux de mots idiots. Tiraillez les sons, Garçons .Rompre. Le délire progressif survient. Harmonies contenues. Expérimentations. La tête, au fur et à mesure; celle qui s'envole. Stridences et vrombissements en appoint, un contre-chant puis l'incroyable chaos savamment orchestré. Putain!!!!!Que c'est bon . Un embryon écervelé, lavé de toutes certitudes .Energies en guitares pleines, entières, défouraillantes!!! superbe inspiration. Un groupe et sa composition. En avant. Musique!!!

[@stevengarbedian]

Quintessential Youth. Brings back so many memories.

[@calvezphilippe874]

Quand tout démarre.Progression musicale éruptive.Intensité sous-jascente,envol, basse et contre-chants. Ou le premier gros riff qui défouraille,retourne l'estomac jusqu'aux outrages ultimes et voilà le hachoir-tomates en pleine mise en place, délicates de sons INOUÏS de stridence, de percus ajustées et autres guitares sans voix. Une accalmie selon nos folies enregistrées. Un cliquetis avant l'envol de la lave. Nos écoutilles à jouir, nos perceptions,si diverses. Des vibrations ou nôtres. Impossible d'ajouter des mots à la musique. J'y parviens selon une faconde .Modeste. Un régal de nos inspirations à hurler. Mon super-dégueuloir. Jusqu’au tréfonds de nos turpitudes créatrices. Je suis triste que les yo ignorants aies retenus une attention particulière, c'est ainsi...L'essentiel est surtout ailleurs. Juste écouter. Musique Maestro. La vôtre qui devient mienne. Ce volcan.Aux larmes incandescentes. Quand la musique brûle, à condition de la capter.Etre heureux. Juste écouter ce plaisir chaotique. Frénésie. Nos corps à la transe.

[@lemonhead162]

I remember my brother had this CD. I still love this song.

[@cobylow2220]

so glad other people love sonic youth like me

[@celeste1324]

heck yeah....this is me..what do you think?....kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHTRoJZ9aL-tpbM

[@emcmw]

When this album came out I was with a few fellas and we decided when we got done work to listen to this and drop some acid. It was a good time till the album ended. I believe it was a Tuesday so Wednesday came a little too quick.

[@calvezphilippe874]

En stridences suaves des échos où clapent les baguettes gourmandes. Aux premières notes conduites. Sentir la défragmentation déflagrante, s'y engouffrer tels des goinfres malicieux, jusqu'à envisager le chaos tintinnabulant à la cloche, en apesanteur. Et si le son était une absence permanente, en remontée graduelle, simplement il nous parvient par séquences écarlates de ponctuations accélérées. Quelques cordes à l'orchestre frappé, l'Annonciation du démiurge. L'envol des échos en sourdines plaintives. Je me guitare sec par réjouissance. Un pur régal frénétique à tout bouffer. Les accords jouissent de la fratrie instrumentale sans prototypes avérés. De la défonce à l'état pur, une surgescence à palper à la moindre dissonance qui ébaubit vos cartilages enfouis. Les éclats défouraillent de partout et d'ailleurs, ils vous dévorent, vous ingèrent telles des pustules sourdes à l'harmonie des prémices du cérumen.

[@jeremyhorst572]

I don't mean this with hostility, but what's up with the 15 people who DIDN'T love this song?

[@nigts11]

i don't really know why would they come here, in first place....

[@adamnelson4859]

They didn't get it. Lol

[@arisoyaries]

@@nigts11 I’ve come and I’m 15 lol I really like it

[@zestead814]

I had this cd given to me with a bunch of old bad cds,unless you like amateur local music. it only added to the moment, when after sime sifting through garbage, I found this.

[@Debonair19773577]

14:36 - 19:35 are probably the five most uncommercial minutes ever released by a major label.

[@traxcanonch.2421]

Eh, the rest of the album is still pretty tame but Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music is probably one of the least commecial music released on a big label, fucking RCA.

[@MSL_043]

Sonic Youth the Washing Machine album will always and forever remind me of snow. Right when I got this album I still had a paper route. I would play this album everyday on my paper route during one of the snowiest winters in CT.... I can't decide if it's a good memorie or not, but I definitely love the album anyway.... ♡Kim Gordan!!!!

[@camflanagan3476]

I bought this album based on listening to this song back in the 90's

[@ericsetzer8388]

I love this song. people need to wake up.

[@bobymcgee]

Nothing can beat this

[@gracielou6519]

Why did I take this much acid

[@helmielisa]

For the care

[@thENDweDIE]

+Tommy Ekman wab the cure???

[@AsharellaNightAngel]

You don't need acid to trip with this song

[@ahriarah2268]

Becuz you were probably swimming on the diamond sea of acid

[@janetwilhelm4435]

Because Acid is good for the mind, check the latest data coming out if Berkley. They found that micro dosing relieves and helps with all sorts of depression.I am an acid freak from the 70s and 80s and they were very healthy times...

[@evanisovich]

My son had one he fit in when he was about a year old. We got rid of about 90% of his smaller clothes - the Washing Machine shirt made the cut, though. :)

[@stevekosak389]

I remember them playing this at Lollapalooza before the CD came out just blown the fuck away the acid didn't hurt either

[@jimsmiley1030]

Me trippen heavy,Austin lollapalooza!

[@LOGM-x3q]

20년 이상 지났지만, 오랜만에 노래를 들었습니다. 런닝타임이 20분이나 되는데, 곡 전체가 너무 좋고 듣다보면 빠져들게됩니다.

[@TheMadisonMachine]

Takes me back to sifting through my mom's CMJ cd's when she wasn't paying attention.

[@breixoharguindey284]

I was in the hospital, then. I send this song to her, in our twenties, that confusing time. Now, each other in its way are lost on it.

[@TheMefahm]

1.7.2018 still love sonic youth..hail from malaysia

[@justsomeguy3145]

So glad I found this song today. I don’t have any other words.

[@tavuru1]

damn im so old ! i still listen this song like the first time no matter what ! una superbanda poco valorada Kim sigue siendo mi crush she is so cool

[@coyote520]

Driving around East Aurora and Alden NY after the second shift at work, looking for an interesting bar to go to, about 15° F with snow and ice on the ground in a car with minimal heat listening to this song. 1995-1999 were the best years of my life, by far.

[@DavidWattie-i2q]

Ha! My stomping ground

[@coyote520]

@@DavidWattie-i2q It's changed quite a bit, I reckon.

[@myRadiotron]

Man, people really hate it when I put this on the jukebox ... and I get it - it's just sometimes I get in that mood.

[@kevindu5721]

makes me think about my childhood somehow, going to the lake with my dad and first going to school. a very nostalgic song to me, no idea what the lyrics are really about

[@lucagrandicelli]

We survived the 90's with this tune.

[@timberbenjamin]

if you haven't heard this album on vinyl, do yrself a favour - this track especially

[@celeste1324]

nice

[@KommentarSpaltenKrieger]

This feels like a mash-up of everything I tend to listen to^^

[@RNTH01]

Round 0:30-ish I get a Beach boys 'wouldn't it be nice' kind of vibe; great song (both)

[@ikeyschultz4969]

Nostalgia. Remember a shorter version of this song getting some college station play back in the 90’s. Teenage Riot remains my favorite though. That song holds a special place.

[@joeporter4920]

the hesitation and reflection in the drums is what really gives this piece weight

[@plunderpunk2]

Taking a Taxi from the Schwimbad club in Heidelberg, early '96, asking the driver what he thought of the new SY - "it's pretty ok". Where is he now?

[@GlynDwr-d4h]

If you close your eyes and focus on the lyrics, they paint impossible images in your head.

[@garethjsthomas]

Let's enjoy our depression together

[@pandap4ntz]

i'm in denial that i'm depressed, but yeah, might as well try to enjoy it from time to time.

[@davorinflis3825]

"We are ugly but we love the music" (L- Cohen), or - You may be depressed but at least you've got humo(u)r!

[@davorinflis3825]

Davorin Flis Davorin Flis Pred 1 sekundo "We are ugly but we love the music" (L- Cohen), or - You may be depressed Gareth but at least you've got humo(u)r!

[@96merluzzo]

I'm not depressed lol

[@dianarchy23]

@@davorinflis3825 it’s “but we *have* the music.” :)

[@juliearvaniti7336]

I am unintentionally attracted to this song

[@kirstenc9007]

Capitol ballroom Dc magical. Staple of my youth, I will never forget. 💖

[@igorrodrigues97.]

The bass tone is so great

[@ruimendes3130]

magic

[@arinross523]

love that solo, very dark

[@lethrneck4]

this was the last good album by them, saw them in spring 1995 at amherst college few months before washing machine came out, i believe the cover for the album was a picture taken at that show..good times i was a senior in high school. dinosaur jr also played!

[@Agababaable]

+lethrneck4 if you haven't checked out rather ripped from 2006 i highly recommend it, and this is coming from someone who adores evol and washing machine before any other output.

[@lethrneck4]

ive had every SY album thats been released, rather ripped was their first good effort since washing machine, Sonic Nurse is really my only fav album of theirs post - 90s

[@Elevantband]

+lethrneck4 Murray Street tho, that shit's dope

[@eight6sevenfive3oh9]

I saw them when they were supporting NYC Ghosts & Flowers on top of a parking garage in Pontiac, MI. I met Thurston and Coco. It was rad.

[@strangefacekid]

I lived in a punk squat as a teenager in Sydney, quite famous, Gracelands, I met both Thurston & Kim there. They were on tour in Australia and scoring H from one of the guys who lived there.

[@idleidolidyl5520]

do you know if this song has ever appeared on films, tv or something? Because when I first heard it I had the feeling that I already knew this piece. but I had never heard it in my life

[@TheJbirchard]

I remember the first time I heard it, the moment, everything

[@ry_sturrock]

So I'm assuming from 15:00 to 19:35 is when we are being completely engulfed and swallowed up by the Diamond Sea?

[@marc-antoinemarcoux697]

The base in this song is amazing

[@mjaxdes]

a fucking amazing stuff! tyvm for making this music OMG!

[@ejb5659]

Evidently I was conceived to this song...and 4 others...

[@digitalboy666]

we had to w8 the whole cassettee to get to this song at the end i remember lol

[@mauriziobalduani7662]

many faces...the diamond

[@espeso2377]

Algo único, inigualable... Gracias!

[@spongedinosaurs]

absolutely beautiful, perfect

[@tolugo87]

Good memories!

[@edmondkehrer2523]

I used to stop the song after the last chorus around 8', what a mistake, incredible song

[@pauldsheppard126]

Whoever didn't like this has no taste in noise

[@cuzjandb]

if anyone was questioning whether or not this was a good song to listen to on acid-- the answer is yes, but be careful

[@zimbraundertone4075]

2024 And it'll be a sin not to listen to it whole! Ready to sail : "Sail into the heart of the lonely storm And tell her that you'll love her eternally"

[@TheMIKE263]

this is the best shit i ever heard in my life

[@celeste1324]

i like THIS song more kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHTRoJZ9aL-tpbM...but diamond sea is a banger

[@JeanineLugo-ib5sx]

I saw them in concert in 98' and they were pretty good.

[@heliopolis29]

You can imagine Kurt Cobain singing this.

[@lubosjanak1644]

Unique

[@ihopethisusernameisa]

the sound of high school

[@clairesoto3333]

aww my ex used to sing this.

[@jd749]

Sounds like he had a big dick :)

[@sonictrasher]

@@jd749 stay classy

[@anarchistprincess]

Reminds me of growing up in Anchorage, Alaska!

[@igormoreira3914]

perfect sonic houth is cool

[@floridaboy6931]

Don't stop loving me Alejandra!

[@fern2336]

Memories

[@rgreenwood4103]

Best song!

[@friendofjesus1680]

i used to own that shirt..

[@sockpuppetbitme]

I forgot about this song, THANKS KZbin :)