Stream: Thurston Moore – “Benediction”

Our first taste of Demolished Thoughts, the forthcoming Beck-produced solo LP from Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, arrived today as a premiere stream on NPR.org in all its nuanced, gorgeously violin-adorned glory. “Whisper ‘I love you’ one thousand times into his ear,” Moore coos in the decidedly subdued 5-minute ode that shuffles along with sensitive yet poetic lyrics like a modern-day “Pale Blue Eyes” or — for obvious reasons — Sea Change cut. After a few listens, it’s no surprise that Thurston’s lovelorn side is just as poignant as the abrasive feedback-driven rock pioneering he’s most famous for, but what really brings this cut home for me are the violin flourishes. Can’t wait to hear the full record, especially the contributions from harpist Mary Lattimore. Give it a spin here or below.