"Rather Ripped" stands as Sonic Youth's fourteenth studio album, released on June 13, 2006, via Geffen Records. Notably, it marks the band's first release after the departure of multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who had been with them since 1999. Produced by John Agnello and recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, where the band had previously recorded their 1994 album, "Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star," this album marked the completion of Sonic Youth's contract with Geffen.
Regarded as one of their most accessible works, "Rather Ripped" features concise songs exploring themes of melancholy, such as adultery, sexual frustration, and infidelity. It reached number 71 on the US Billboard 200 and number 64 on the UK Albums Chart upon release. Critics praised its cleaner melodies and the vocal delivery of singer and bassist Kim Gordon, with the album ranking at number 12 in The Village Voice's 2006 Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Its single, "Incinerate," accompanied by a music video directed by Claire Denis, was released in 2006.
