Having all your gear nicked would be a minor upset for most bands. No doubt there is a lot of emotional attachment involved the guitarist's favourite gretsch, the bass player's personalised amp, the drummer's sweat towel all gone in a flick of an eye lid. But when Sonic Youth's tour van was jimmied open in July 1999, the theft had more significance. 'NYC Ghosts and Flowers' is
infinitely more focused, less meandering than former works, in parts powerfully produced genius. And all the better for it.