Jim O'Rourke is on a roll. First, post-rock's poster child released his best solo effort, "Insignificance," late last year, and now he's on two of the best albums of 2002. As well as having produced Wilco's breakthrough album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," O'Rourke has become producer for -- and a member of -- Sonic Youth.
What's even more interesting is that his snap-crackle-and-pop approach to sound works equally well on Wilco's reflective, roots-tinged pop as on Sonic Youth's feedback tirades. O'Rourke has been a card-carrying member of the avant-garde for years, so he's in good company with art-rock's fab four. Now, however, Chicago's notorious knob-twiddler has grabbed his guitars, switches and pedals, and made a quintet out of New York's finest.
And what a record to join on. "Murray Street" is the most accessible Sonic Youth LP in years. There are traces of the albums "Sister" and "Daydream Nation" here, but this is no retread. Nor is it a return to the MTV spotlight that albums like "Goo" and "Dirty" gave them. There's still enough screech and hiss in their amps to both satisfy die-hard fans and ensure no major airplay.