By The Fire, the seventh 'solo' album from the Sonic Youth founder is the latest in his catalog of fine-tuned hard rock and some of his bravest and most vibrant work to date. A known revolutionary, no one should be surprised as to where Moore stands within today's politically tattered global state. The real surprise here is that between the sharp edges lies an inspiring message of optimism and hope.
"Hashish" starts us off with sharp and innovative guitar stylings that segway into the groove of an enchanting melody. The drugs/love metaphor, while cliched, still hits home. "Feel the full effect of this dose. "It is in you girl, my repose."
Four of the nine tracks extend beyond ten minutes and feel a lot like a soundtrack not to a movie but to a place in time. Moore gives "Breath," "Siren," "Locomotives," and "Venus" room to breathe, and as such, they waft into your subconsciousness, providing the sonic texture to drive your most cogent inner thoughts into action.
"Cantelope" is fascinating as it somehow blends late 60's psycho-rock with polished punk of the '90s. Iron Butterfly meets Soundgarden.
There isn't much lyrically that stands out on this album with the slight exception of "Locomotives". "We take nothing, only liberties. And just one photo, if you please. Of the shapes of clouds we cannot keep." And "You on the platform, ravishing. Electric carriage wanderings. Locomotives kiss tenderly. We arrive foreign and free. Crossing borders we don't see."
Overall, By The Fire is an enthralling progression from 2014's The Best Day and 2017's Rock & Roll Consciousness, all the while maintaining an identity of its own. Like Sonic Youth on stage in their prime, Moore stands strong with rock god poise, a lighthouse in a storm, while all the world spirals in chaos around him. If 'SONIC LIFE' defines Moore forever, we're all the better for it.
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