Thursday, March 22, 2012

LEE RANALDO - BETWEEN THE TIMES AND TIDES


[audio:http://thesoundtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/02-Off-The-Wall.mp3|titles=02 - Off The Wall]
Cruise Lee
by R.C. Avellanosa

I only have the compilation East Jesus from Lee and it proved surreal. Noise and all, made me stare blank on a wall and to the trees, like you were stoned or something. Made one think he's zipped to a highly industrialized zone. Sadly, following Moore and Gordon's divorce, Lee comes forever mighty. Though Sonic Youth still remains, Lee Ranaldo stepping out from the shadows and recently released his ninth solo album. Two months ago, I've heard the single "Off The Wall" from sonicyouth.com.  And the video from a set at Glasslands, sounded and looked so pure, so lovely and colorful with two videos 'opacitied', for lack of a better word. Needless to say the song was great and I ended playing it over and over. The other songs speaks for itself.


I wonder why Lee never named this band on a different name rather than his own. Perhaps it's clear that he had some songs written and arranged alone. Ranaldo is backed by old friends, all-star cast including Nels Cline, Alan Licht, John Medeski, bassist Irwin Menken and longtime associate Steve Shelley (and cameos from old friends Jim O?Rourke and Bob Bert). Their styles is distinctly served as their own. It was pointed out that the collaboration wasn't made to make Ranaldo's songs better as they are. The downside is that a pitchfork review says that it is an album badly in need of editing, and rebuilding. "Some acrimony within Sonic Youth lately; maybe they could have helped?" But I don't mind. It is what it is. Lee is what it is.


Highlight: Off The Wall
"Watch me as I fall
Then scrape me off the wall
And take me home
See me as I am
Just half a man
Trying to get home"



“Songs can go a million different ways.”  Lee Ranaldo




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