Sonic Youth Frontman Flies High, Solo

Bandleader to experimental music pioneer Sonic Youth, Thurston Moore dropped his first proper solo record in 12 years today; "Trees Outside the Academy "drew a strong if not excellent 7.9 rating from hipster bible Pitchfork. Depsite the "basement icon's"  recent patronage of difficult underground talent, the new record is direct, uncomplicated and even “song-based.”

Sonic Youth’s recent releases have reconnected with original 1980s devotees, and any SY follower listening to "Trees" will marvel at “how much more there is to Moore's songwriting when it's comparatively unadorned.” But the essential rocker probably won’t be taking any compliments to heart: The LP's last track is a recording of Moore at age 13, humbly intoning, “What you have heard is me wasting time again.” (More Sonic Youth stories.)