What does By the Fire sound like?

A sprawling exploration of sound that melds avant-garde textures with reflective, atmospheric passages. Rooted in alternative rock and indie rock. Start with "Hashish".

Is By the Fire a good place to start with Thurston Moore?

Yes, By the Fire is recommended as a starting point for new Thurston Moore listeners. A sprawling exploration of sound that melds avant-garde textures with reflective, atmospheric passages. By the Fire is Thurston Moore's fifth solo studio album, released after his 2014 effort, The Best Day. At this point in his career, Moore had already established himself as a pivotal figure in alternative and experimental rock through his work with Sonic Youth and various collaborations. This album marks a return to form, further enriching his oeuvre with an expansive sound palette and introspective themes.

Who is By the Fire for?

By the Fire works well if you're into meditative soundscapes for contemplation, gradual builds towards immersive peaks and for late-night solitude.

How many songs are on By the Fire?

By the Fire has 9 tracks, running approximately 82 minutes.

By the Fire

Thurston Moore · 2020

82 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

A sprawling exploration of sound that melds avant-garde textures with reflective, atmospheric passages.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hashish Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Breath — This track stands out for its nearly eleven-minute duration, allowing Moore to weave intricate guitar layers and meditative rhythms that evoke deep contemplation. The gradual buildup creates a captivating atmosphere that exemplifies the album's experimental nature.
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Siren — Siren captivates listeners with its haunting melodies and rich sonic textures, reflecting themes of longing and introspection. The interplay between dissonance and harmony here showcases Moore's innovative approach to composition.
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They Believe in Love (When They Look at You) — This track juxtaposes lyrical simplicity with complex musical arrangements, revealing Moore’s ability to convey profound emotions through layered instrumentation. Its ethereal quality adds a unique dimension to the album.
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Venus — As an instrumental piece, Venus serves as a tranquil interlude within the album, featuring expansive soundscapes that highlight Moore's mastery of texture and atmosphere. Its soothing nature contrasts beautifully with the more intense tracks.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album's adventurous compositions and sonic depth create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended explorations of sound and texture.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

meditative soundscapes for contemplation
gradual builds towards immersive peaks
for late-night solitude
extended tracks encourage deep listening

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Moore's artistic depth and adventurous compositions, marking a significant point in his career.
Themes: meditative soundscapes· improvisational exploration· personal reflection
Career context: By the Fire is Thurston Moore's fifth solo studio album, released after his 2014 effort, The Best Day. At this point in his career, Moore had already established himself as a pivotal figure in alternative and experimental rock through his work with Sonic Youth and various collaborations. This album marks a return to form, further enriching his oeuvre with an expansive sound palette and introspective themes.
Stylistic neighbors: Sonic Youth· The Velvet Underground· Pavement