Home > Los Angeles Music > CD Review > Thurston Moore, "Trees Outside the Academy"

Backstory: Moore's the most recognizable member of noise-rock icons Sonic Youth, and much has been made of his use of acoustic instruments on "Trees Outside The Academy," his second solo record.

Why you should care: Because Moore is not only the most recognizable member of the band, he also writes the best songs—and "Trees" has an abundance of wealth in that department.

Verdict: Those acoustic guitars only serve the songs; they're abetted with the same noisy frothiness and overdriven exuberance that is Moore's trademark. "The Shape Is in a Trance" is layered with intricate fingerpicking and a string section, and "Wonderful Witches" breaks down into wild randomness before exploding with a roar of drums—pretty noisy for a man theoretically getting away from his roots.

X-Factor: The final track, "Thurston@13" is a field recording of a teenage Moore exploring his adolescence weirdness.

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