Hold That Tiger

Rock · 1991 · 18 tracks

Hold That Tiger

A frantic, high-velocity live document of the band's 1987 peak, capturing the jagged energy of 'Sister' played at a breathless, accidental speed.

1991 · KK Records

Hold That Tiger is a fascinating anomaly in the Sonic Youth catalog, capturing the band at the height of their Sister-era powers but presented through a uniquely distorted lens. Because the original recording was sped up to fit on vinyl, the entire performance has a manic, caffeinated quality that pushes their already tense compositions into the realm of pure adrenaline. It sounds like a transmission from a subterranean Chicago club where the air is thick and the guitars are sharpened to a razor's edge.

Tracklist · 18 Tracks

01

Intro

0:43

02

Schizophrenia

4:31

03

Tom Violence

2:44

04

White Cross

2:58

05

Kotton Krown

4:05

06

Stereo Sanctity

3:28

07

Brother James

3:22

08

Pipeline / Kill Time

4:04

09

Catholic Block

3:55

10

Tuff Gnarl

3:27

11

Death Valley '69

4:50

12

Beauty Lies in the Eye

2:40

13

Expressway to Yr Skull

4:33

14

Pacific Coast Highway

5:00

15

Loudmouth

2:02

16

I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You

1:34

17

Today Yr. Love, Tomorrow the World

2:01

18

Beat on the Brat

2:40

Moments Worth Listening For

The frantic, slightly pitch-shifted opening of Schizophrenia that sets a breathless pace for the entire set.

The transition into the Ramones medley where the band sheds their art-school skin for pure punk adrenaline.

The moment during Pacific Coast Highway where the feedback begins to bloom but is reined in by the tight rhythm section.

Reviews

AllMusic

Where This Album Departs

How does Hold That Tiger sound next to the rest of Sonic Youth's catalogue?

Raspy+1.8σ

The vocals lean notably further into raspy than the rest of the catalogue.

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