Master-Dik Explained

Master-Dik
Type:ep
Artist:Sonic Youth
Cover:Masterdik.jpg
Released:November 4, 1987 (US)
January 22, 1988 (UK)
Studio:
  • Sear Sound, New York City
  • Wharton's Palace of Confusion
Genre:
Length:19:22
Label:SST, Blast First
Prev Title:Sister
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:The Whitey Album
Next Year:1988

Master-Dik is the third EP by American alternative rock band Sonic Youth. It was released on November 4, 1987, in the United States by record label SST,[4] and on January 22, 1988, in the United Kingdom by label Blast First.[5]

Background

Inspired by New York City hip hop from the late 1980s, the title song used a drum machine, sampled Kiss, and name-dropped Ciccone Youth, a name under which Sonic Youth had released a single in 1986 and would use again for an album in 1988. The B-sides comprised several interview snippets, parody and/or cover songs that pay tribute to and/or mention the Ramones, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Beatles, Sun Ra, Max Roach, Sonny Sharrock, George Benson, and Ringo Starr, plus short-form sound collages, field recordings, musique concrète, and human beatboxing.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sonic Youth 'Master-Dik'.
  2. Web site: The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities | Pitchfork. Pitchfork.
  3. Web site: Sonic Youth - Sister (Album review) | Sputnikmusic.
  4. Web site: Sonicyouth – Master-Dik / Beat on the Brat (1987, Vinyl). Discogs. 4 November 1987 .
  5. Web site: Sonic Youth – Master-Dik / Beat on the Brat (1988, Vinyl). Discogs. 22 January 1988 .
  6. Weasel . Ben . Ben Weasel . November 1987 . [''Maximumrocknroll'' article] ]. . April 14, 2013.
  7. Web site: sonicyouth.com Discography – Master-Dik . sonicyouth.com . April 14, 2013.
  8. Web site: Sonic Youth: Master-Dik | Midheaven Mailorder |work=midheaven.com |accessdate=April 14, 2013}} Dinosaur Jr.]'s J. Mascis plays guitar on "Beat on the Brat".

    Master-Diks liner notes reprinted a rant by Ben Weasel from the November 1987 issue of the fanzine Maximumrocknroll. In the article, Weasel criticized Sonic Youth, Hüsker Dü and several other indie rock bands from the 1980s for eschewing punk rock for a boring classic rock sound.[6] Etchings on the vinyl's inner groove read "Ciccone death rock dream tinkle" on one side, and "Humpy pumpy psychoacoustik frenzy" on the other.[7] When it was originally released, the album sleeve bore a sticker reading "Not as good as Atomizer, so don't get your hopes up, cheese!" The same sticker had originally appeared on Big Black's 1987 EP Headache, and referred to that band's previous album.

    Personnel

    Sonic Youth
    Additional personnel
    • J. Mascis – guitar ("Master-Dik")
    • Martin Bisi – engineer ("Master-Dik")
    • Bill Titus – engineering ("Master-Dik")
    • Wharton Tiers – engineering ("Beat on the Brat")
    • Peter Anderson – sleeve photography
    • Terry Pearson – mixing ("Under the Influence of The Jesus and Mary Chain / Ticket to Ride / Master-Dik (Version) / Introducing the Stars")

    External links

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