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Spirit Counsel
by
Spirit Counsel Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest solo release for the Sonic Youth artist features three extended instrumental experimental tracks.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Glide Magazine
    Oct 8, 2019
    80
    Spirit Counsel is a testament to Moore’s musical vision, no wave roots, tonal sound and guitar style as he remains both clanging and melodic. Adventurous listeners will reap rewards from the textures and endless twists/turns Moore brings to these three long guitar-based passages.
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 23, 2019
    78
    Even with its imposing length, Spirit Counsel is arguably the most accessible entry point into Moore’s boundless experimental canon.
  3. Uncut
    Sep 23, 2019
    70
    Come for songs and you'll be left wanting, but as a holy distillation of Moore's influences, Spirit Counsel impresses. [Oct 2019, p.30]
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  4. The Wire
    Sep 23, 2019
    70
    Unlike the alluring textural build-up that precedes it, this rocking culmination feels frustratingly empty, as if missing a voice. ... Eventually [on "8 Spring Street"] a groovy, almost accidental rock lick is dispersed by a radiant conclusion. ... [On "Galaxies (Sky)"] Picked and bowed strings sound pleasant like wind chimes, then painful like nails scraping across a blackboard. The guitarists’ incessant repetitions are reminiscent of Orthrelm’s OV until a lone guitar breaks the cycle by oscillating sharp chords, augmenting them to saturation. [Oct 2019, p.56]
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  5. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 1, 2019
    70
    Spirit Counsel doesn’t make for an easy listen, but largely because of its length. Moore’s compositional work and tonal explorations remain intriguing on repeated listens.
  6. Mojo
    Sep 23, 2019
    60
    [Alice Moki Jayne's] one-hour length is rather testing. The 29-minute 8 Spring Streeet is more structured and achieves a thrilling momentum. ... 35 minutes in [Galaxies (Sky)], the 12-strong, 12-string "guitar army," directed by Moore hit a breathtaking peak. It feels like a spectacular end, but then there are still over 20 minutes to go. [Oct 2019, p.86]
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  7. AllMusic
    Sep 30, 2019
    60
    Spirit Counsel is an ambitious but focused masterwork of Moore's expansive and specific approach to experimental instrumental music.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Bullhead
    Oct 4, 2019
    7
    Great album. Not an easy listen, tho. If you're into long, shapeless, ever expanding noise/free-form stuff in the vein of Glenn Branca orGreat album. Not an easy listen, tho. If you're into long, shapeless, ever expanding noise/free-form stuff in the vein of Glenn Branca or drone music, this may be for you. Personally I liked it a lot, and it hasn't happened in a very long while with Thurston Moore, at least since his old Sonic Youth days circa "Washing Machine".… Expand