When I’m listening to Sonic Youth’s 1987 classic, Sister, I’m still captivated by the opener, Schizophrenia. I’m also reminded of the initial thrill of hearing an album that was truly like any other (at the time of its release). From there, Sonic Youth would become one of the most influential bands in rock music.
Fast forward to this year and Thurston Moore, without Sonic Youth or his longtime collaborator, band mate and wife Kim Gordon, is a solo artist.
Rock n Roll Consciousness is Moore’s fifth solo album (and his second since divorcing Gordon). It doesn’t break ground like Sister but it’s a clear step forward for Moore as a solo artist.
Longtime fans will hear the similarities between this album and the music of his former band, but there’s also a new creative stamp Moore is putting on this offering. There are only five songs, two of which are more than 10 minutes apiece. There’s a lot of instrumentation, dramatic plateaus and a shifting landscape of sound and yet the tracks link together to form a cohesive body of work. I recommend this album.
Catch Thurston Moore at Pitchfork Music Festival this Friday.
All the Young Punks 