Thurston Moore
Trees Outside the Academy
Ecstatic Peace; September 2007
Sonic Youth’s golden boy Thurston Moore has taken time off from leading the venerable New York noise band to release Trees Outside the Academy. Moore’s solo debut, Psychic Hearts, hit shelves nearly 12 years ago, and it’s about time for another album from the guitar guru who founded one of the most crucial rock bands of our time. Trees finds Moore turning down the amp static as he pens quiet, acoustic-driven songs. He has taken a step outside the usual Sonic Youth tunings and instrumentation, collaborating with violinist Samara Lubelski on haunting songs like “Frozen Guitar” and “The Shape Is in a Trance.” It’s quiet and pensive, and it’s the best thing he’s done in years.
