THERE comes a point - and it's surely after 23 years and 19 albums - that you have got to question the word 'youth' in the band's name.

Not to deride Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon et al, but it is stretching the concept. Stretching the concept wouldn't go amiss in the musical department but this is the same stark, spartan Sonic Youth most people have known and ignored for many a year.

As ever, they aspire to break through but gravitate towards the humdrum. Alas, repeated listenings still don't take you prisoner. This sound is getting old.

Updated: 09:08 Thursday, June 17, 2004