Matador

Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo puts out his first proper, song-oriented studio album this March. Recorded with longstanding Sonic Youth producer John Agnello, the album is a shimmering and melodic tapestry of rock sounds. Ranaldo’s trademark alternate-tuning guitar work is at the forefront, it is amplified by brilliant guitarwork from Wilco’s Nels Cline on almost every track. The allstar lineup also includes Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley on drums, Alan Licht on guitar, and John Medeski on keyboards. There are also cameos from former Sonic Youth cohorts, drummer Bob Bert and producer/instrumentalist Jim O’Rourke. Between The Times and The Tides is equal parts smart, confident and loose in a manner that recalls some of our favorite rock’n'roll projects …yet sounds like a fantastic new band that was apparently being assembled right under our noses. From rock-quintet to solo acoustic, it’s a fascinatingly approachable song collection from one of rock’s greatest guitarists. According to UNCUT's Rob Young: "In some ways...the best the US underground can offer at this moment, a mature album, as serious-minded as the times demand."