Rating: NNN
Thurston Moore’s solo album sees him whisper-singing Neil Young-style over acoustics guitars, strings and harp. Sonic Youth fans will hear familiar melodies made gentler by the arrangements.
The album proves that guitar distortion isn’t necessary for creating sonic experiments. Moore uses unusual tunings and harmonics, producer Beck brings a treated feel to the vocals and instruments, and harpist Mary Lattimore sounds other-worldly. Deft violin lines by Samara Lubelski lift the music without being overused.
The result is dreamy to a fault, with song fragments submerged in extended instrumental intros and outros. It works well in the first half, especially on Benediction, Illuminine and Orchard Street, which verges on epic. The second half meanders into background material but is still worth a listen. The accompanying booklet includes poetry by Moore.
Top track: Benediction
