Review: Chelsea Light Moving a Sonic Youth stopgap

Chelsea Light Moving, "Chelsea Light Moving" (Matador)

The debut album from Chelsea Light Moving is the third record headlined by Thurston Moore since Sonic Youth started an indefinite hiatus. Depending on how long that drags out, this lively rocker might tide you over.

The newest side gig for the 54-year-old Moore picks up where Sonic Youth started drifting toward in the 2000s: tighter albums, less screwing around. That doesn't mean Chelsea Light Moving is a showcase in maturity. Moore dumbs down his guitar chops in the punk ditty "Lip" while F-bombing his way through every verse and chorus. "Alighted" and "Frank O'Hara Hit" drip with an easy sludge that most rock bands eventually outgrow.

But it's nothing to cringe at. The effect isn't angst, but instead comes across as Moore dusting off his amp following his 2011 acoustic solo album and last year's interminable collaboration with Yoko Ono. It's no Sonic Youth but a serviceable stopgap.

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