I wish I could claim originality on it, but (I think) Kim Gordon said it when asked about the differences in recording Sister and Daydream Nation, and attributed it to being able to afford better engineers. I already thought that the later record sounded much better, but she put that image in my head. Now when I listen to Sister, I always picture Steve Shelley banging away on moving boxes.
But I disagree about Daydream Nation overstaying its welcome. I think its dreamy songs and rockers are paced well. By the time “Eliminator Jr.” has rocked its way out, I often want to listen to at least side 1 again (probably “Teenage Riot” and “Silver Rocket” at the very least). Sonic Youth are my favorite band, and have been pretty much since I bought DN when it was new, so YMMV greatly. 
Daydream Nation is now on my breakfast listening schedule tomorrow, we’ll see how it works out. 