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Between the Times and the Tides Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The Sonic Youth guitarist's latest solo album produced by John Agnello features fellow Sonic Youth member Steve Shelly, Bob Bert, Jim O'Rouke, Nels Cline of Wilco, Irwin Menkin, Alan Licht, and John Medesk.
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Top Track

Stranded
Tell me my love, tell me who it is you're thinking of. I have come here for your heart, tell me what's a good place to start. I long for your lips,... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Just the album you'd hope from a thoughtful 56-year-old after his band of 30 years breaks up.
  2. Mar 20, 2012
    80
    In the context of an album this accomplished, Ranaldo's stories resonate like holy Scripture.
  3. Mar 22, 2012
    80
    Between the Times and the Tides cements Ranaldo's role as a dreamer and poet who can remain true to himself and reveal new things at the same time.
  4. Uncut
    Mar 13, 2012
    70
    A mature album that's abrasive but not "freaky" or "weird", that enjoys its moments of harmony when it finds them, and is as serious-minded as the times demand. [Apr 2012, p.76]
  5. The Wire
    Apr 18, 2012
    70
    It's a surprisingly luxuriant record. [Mar 2012, p.58]
  6. Mar 22, 2012
    70
    Mostly Lee Ranaldo has created a mid-crisis record that sounds more powerful than frustrated, more strong in its beauty than reactionary in its power.
  7. Mar 19, 2012
    40
    The album is more interesting sonically in the tension between questing guitars and straightforward song structures than it is in terms of lyrics, which aim to be down to earth but end up middle of the road.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mar 25, 2012
    9
    Great album! It doesn't sound like Sonic Youth, the dissonances are gone, the experimentation too. However, the songwriting is superb. AndGreat album! It doesn't sound like Sonic Youth, the dissonances are gone, the experimentation too. However, the songwriting is superb. And lyrics are mostly good. If you know who Lee Ranaldo is and you want to find out this record, you will probably like it! Recommended! Expand