Sonic Youth: Washing Machine LP

After defying their status as America's pre-eminent alternative band with 1994's stripped down Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star, Sonic Youth returned a year later with the adventurous Washing Machine, a heightened and hookless 2LP-set produced by former engineer John Siket. Driven by the ringing electric guitars of Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore and extended multi-layered arrangements, Washing Machine straddles the line of art and invention perfectly and features two of the longest songs of the band's career with the 9 1/2 minute title cut and nearly 20-minute epic "The Diamond Sea." Kim Deal even shows up for guest vocals on the haunting "Little Trouble Girl."