Album: Thurston Moore Demolished Thoughts
Label: Matador
Released: 23.05.11
Writing about the solo record of someone you have long-admired objectively is never an easy task. There is always the possibility of being a bit too fawning and fan-ish (mind you, this is fanzine) or criticise more heavily as the weight of expectation is on it. With that in mind, I’ll set the tone first. That I’m writing this while drinking tea and reflecting on a blustery Sunday afternoon seems entirely appropriate for listening to Thurston Moore’s fourth solo album.
Beck produced the record, and there is Sea Change feel to his approach, confessional storytelling and paired down arrangements are at the root of Demolished Thoughts. Themes include odes to feminist poets (Mina Loy), nature (Illumine) and love (Benediction) Recording took place over nine days in all manner of strange and disparate locations (including an old car with Beck operating a shot gun mic and seemingly unlikely chauffeur Sparks’ Ron Mael in the driving seat – I’d love to have been a fly on the windscreen during that take). But of course, in the Beck/Thurston Moore world nothing could be as clinical and straightforward as just bashing out tunes in a studio. I am so taken by reading Thurston’s entertaining biog of the sessions I’m getting distracted from the matter at hand. Anyway, back to the music.
Opener, and recent free download ‘Benediction’ is the album’s love song and very reminiscent of Nick Drake/Robert Kirby instrumentation “Simple pleasures like strike like lightning/scratches spell her name” he sings, it’s like a lo-fi lullaby.’Circulation’ is one of the heavier tracks, and closer to the dynamics and drama of Sonic Youth.
Guitar, harp violin and percussion all feature on this album and although the parts are intricate and beautifully orchestrated, it is also quite spare.
‘Orchard Street’ feels a bit like the elder statesmen to Sonic Youth’s ‘Self Obsessed and Sexxee’. With a deliriously pysched- out crescendo. But this time it’s string sections and twinkling percussion rather white noise and screaming feedback. Lyrics are more of a focal point on Thurston’s solo outings, with Sonic Youth the sound is so all consuming and often obscure but here Moore feels a lot more like a narrator here.
‘In Silver Rain With A Paper Key`, is rich with a sweeping, 1960s Lee Hazlewood or Scott Walker feel to it.
Demolished Thoughts might signal a gentler sound, but long-term fans can rest assured he hasn’t gone soft.