SONIC YOUTH: EVOL Third Studio Album (1986)

EVOL is the third studio album by Sonic Youth, released in May 1986. Produced by Sonic Youth and Martin Bisi, EVOL was Sonic Youth’s first album on SST Records, and also the first album to feature then-new drummer Steve Shelley who had just replaced Bob Bert.

In retrospective reviews, critics cite EVOL as marking Sonic Youth’s transition from their no wave roots toward a greater pop sensibility, while bassist Kim Gordon has referred to it as the band’s “goth record.”

Tracklist:

1. Green Light
2. Starpower
3. Secret Girl
4. Tom Violence
5. Death to Our Friends
6. Shadow of a Doubt
7. Marilyn Moore
8. In the Kingdom #19
9. Madonna, Sean and Me
10. Bubblegum

Sonic Youth
Thurston Moore: vocals, guitar, synthesizer, production
Kim Gordon: vocals, bass guitar, guitar, piano (“Shadow of a Doubt”), production
Lee Ranaldo: guitar, vocals, production, sleeve photography
Steve Shelley: drums, programming, production

Guest musicians
Mike Watt: bass guitar (“In the Kingdom #19”, “Bubblegum”)

Production
Martin Bisi: production, engineering
JG (John Golden): mastering