Stuff White People Still Like. Review of Thurston Moore’s Best Day
Thurston Moore by Vera Marmelo
Well, well, well: look who’s still relevant. It’s Thurston Moore. Yeah, he’s probably listed in that book “Stuff White People Like,” but you still have to respect him for being such a hard working, innovative member of the music community.
Thurston Moore
Can I get through this review without mentioning Sonic Youth? Probably not. Unless it’s to say that I never really got that into Sonic Youth, because it was just one of those bands that everyone said I NEEDED to listen to. I hate doing what people tell me to do. But Steve Shelley’s on drums for this album, so there’s a little bit of Sonic Youth for ya right there.
I listened to Thurston Moore’s 3rd solo album, Demolished Thoughts, which came out in 2011. It didn’t really change my life. But when I put on The Best Day, which is dropping on the 21st of October (you can thank Matador for that one) this album really resonated with me. Music is subjective like that.
Anyway, you can usually tell when it’s Thurston Moore; his guitar tone gives him away. He’s also got that virtuoso-teenager thing woven into every sound. I don’t mean teenage in an angsty-self-indulgent sort of way, but in an explosive, manic, inspired sort of way. When we were teenagers, we felt like we could do anything. And when I chuck on Thurston Moore, especially The Best Day, I just wanna run down the alleyways screaming my manifestos, kissing strangers and drinking 40’s, flannel shirt tied around my waist, smoking the cheap smokes and dreaming about everything.
One thing I really dig about The Best Day is how instrumental it is, perfect for walking around, zoning out. Swinging on swings.
The first track, Speak to the Wild, sold me because it was just such a rough, hypnotic jam that I totally forgot where I was. I like it when that happens.
And then tracks like Forevermore definitely sound like classic Thurston Moore, in that overwrought style of repetitive grandiose lyrical promises.
The title track was a sweet surprise. Is that banjo in there? Mandolin? Call myself a musician… I think someone might even be playing the spoons. Alright.
