Staff Reviews

Lee Ranaldo - Between the Times and Tides

Review by J.R. Moores

If Sonic Youth really is over, we’re still going to be okay. We have the old records, and the material each member will produce independently is going to be of a high standard, just like this is. »

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sonic youth guitarist lee ranaldo puts out his first proper, song-oriented studio album this march. recorded with longstanding sonic youth producer john agnello, the album is a shimmering and melodic tapestry of rock sounds. ranaldo's trademark alternate-tuning guitar work is at the forefront, but it is amplified by brilliant leadwork from wilco's nels cline on every track. the allstar lineup also includes sonic youth's steve shelley on drums, alan licht on guitar, and john medeski on keyboards. there are also cameos from original sonic youth drummer bob bert and producer and instrumentalist jim o'rourke. 'between the times and the tides' is equal parts smart, confident and loose in a manner that recalls some of our favourite rock 'n' roll projects...yet sounds like a fantastic new band that was apparently being assembled right under our noses. with lyrics plumbing ranaldo's childhood and adolescence, it's a fascinatingly approachable song collection from one of rock's greatest guitarists.
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