Noises Off

Thank you, Jonathan Gold, for at least exposing some of the cockeyed standards by which you and your cohorts judge quality (Record Rack, Aug. 30). Babes in Toyland has released an album that in your own words is a grating noise of harsh stuff that hurts , and this is supposed to be necessary?

Are you over 21? Look around you. There are more than enough people in this riot-torn city doing a commendable job of making us cringe without us having to buy into a packaged duplication of the same rot.

ARNO KEKS

El Monte