Album: Thurston Moore, Demolished Thoughts (Matador)

Gently wrought from strands of acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin and harp, encountering the genteel Demolished Thoughts after Thurston Moore's more abrasive work with Sonic Youth is akin to hearing Paris 1919 after John Cale's rampaging Velvet Underground period.

A more accurate description would also cite the blend of guitar and orchestration on Nick Drake's albums, and the mazy jangle of guitar stylists such as John Fahey, Robbie Basho and Michael Chapman, particularly on the 12-string jangle of "Space" and "In Silver Rain with a Paper Key". Delivered in Moore's hushed deadpan, the lyrics seem to slide between tracks, cross-referencing title-phrases confusingly, but the warmly-rendered string tones are a constant delight on tracks such as "Mina Loy" and "Blood Never Lies".

DOWNLOAD THIS Benediction; Illuminine; Blood Never Lies; Mina Loy