
Partially inspired by the streamlined approach taken by Blondie for their 1978 commercial breakthrough Parallel Lines, Moore decided to write simpler songs "for everybody to plug into immediately." While he conceded Parallel Lines features some "super good" songs, he was disappointed with the album's poppier style and Mike Chapman's production when it was released. His departure affected the sound of Rather Ripped, with singer and guitarist Thurston Moore stating that the new record "is just a far more straight up rock and roll album", in contrast to the "darker, twisted, complex quality" of O'Rourke's contributions. According to guitarist Lee Ranaldo, O'Rourke left the band to pursue film work and other recording projects. Rather Ripped is the follow-up to Sonic Youth's 2004 album Sonic Nurse and the band's first record after the departure of multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who joined the group as a fifth member in 1999. Its only single, "Incinerate", was released in 2006, alongside an accompanying music video directed by French director and writer Claire Denis. The album was ranked number 12 in The Village Voice 's 2006 Pazz & Jop critics' poll. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its simpler, cleaner melodies and the vocal delivery of singer and bassist Kim Gordon. Upon its release, the album peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard 200 and number 64 on the UK Albums Chart. Rather Ripped is considered to be one of Sonic Youth's most accessible albums, featuring an abundance of concise songs dealing with melancholic topics such as adultery, sexual frustration, and infidelity. It also completed Sonic Youth's contract with Geffen, which released the band's previous eight records. Unlike its immediate predecessors, the album was produced by John Agnello and recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, the same studio where the band's 1994 album, Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star, was recorded. It was the band's first album following the departure of multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who had joined as a fifth member in 1999. Rather Ripped is the fourteenth studio album by American rock band Sonic Youth, released on Jby Geffen Records.
