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Published on 5/8/08
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Thurston Moore’s frequent appearances on the youthful noise scene can bring to mind a dad playing in the sandbox. The gangly 49-year-old’s cathartic improv performances and relentless trumpeting of nascent artists (Magik Markers, Mouthus, etc.) both register as the acts of a smitten fanboy. But anyone who’s grown accustomed to thinking of the Sonic Youth frontman as a lovable dilettante is about to receive a severe jolt in the form of Trees Outside the Academy, a remarkably tight and assured collection of lyrical rock.
Moore doesn’t check his Rolodex at the door, utilizing experimental luminaries such as Christina Carter (Charalambides), John Moloney (Sunburned Hand of the Man) and noise artist Leslie Keffer. But instead of indulging their outré tendencies, Moore incorporates them into boldly straightforward songcraft. “Honest James,” an acoustic duet with Carter, is an instant masterpiece, in which the pair’s haunted voices intertwine over wrenchingly nostalgic, Neil Young–esque strumming. Although that piece feels spare, much of the disc exhibits a tasteful lushness. Samara Lubelski’s elegant violin and Steve Shelley’s steady drumming anchor dreamily melodic songs such as “Silver>Blue” and “The Shape Is in a Trance,” with indie guitar god J Mascis showing up on the latter to add some epic flair. Several indulgent interludes do little to upset Trees’ pervasive resemblance to a classic-rock album, and for that matter, a classic rock album.
Thurston Moore plays Maxwell’s Mon 24 and Music Hall of Williamsburg Wed 26.
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