Hold That Tiger

Description

In October 1987, four months after the release of their critically acclaimed album Sister, Sonic Youth presented their latest work during a stunning concert at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago. The concert was introduced by Steve Albini of Big Black (who was at the time banned from the venue) and was later released as a semi-official bootleg titled Hold That Tiger on the Goofin' label of writer-provocateur Byron Coley (years later, the band would use this moniker for their own label). The reputation of Hold That Tiger among Sonic Youth fans is well-deserved. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to suggest that the album is to the early SY albums what It's Alive is to the first three albums of the Ramones - a fierce and liberating public snapshot of a band in its burgeoning imperial phase. Indeed, HTT is the sound of a band at the height of its powers, presenting new songs alongside a handful of older ones with the kind of wild and cathartic enthusiasm common to the most revered live rock 'n' roll albums. This first reissue is on gatefold vinyl. Mastered by Bob Weston from the original tapes. Recorded by Aadam Jacobs. Audio repair/editing by Aaron Mullan.