Between the Times and the Tides

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Between the Times and the Tides is Lee Ranaldo’s ninth studio album, released on March 20, 2012, by Matador Records. It’s his first Matador release since Sonic Youth went on hiatus and features guest contributors like Nels Cline, John Medeski, and Leah Singer. The project began as a minimalist acoustic idea but grew into guitar‑driven songs during seven months of recording in early 2011 at Echo Canyon West in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Influences ranging from Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen to Cat Power and Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde helped shape the songs. The title comes from a lyric in “Xtina as I Knew Her.” The album moves away from pure noise toward more song‑driven, catchy tunes, though it still carries Ranaldo’s edge. Most tracks are written in new guitar tunings (with “Fire Island” in standard tuning).

Ranaldo played a Fender Jazzmaster and other guitars during the sessions, and the recording embraced a tactile, hi‑fi approach. All tracks are composed by Ranaldo, and the material is described as more personal and straightforward than his earlier work with Sonic Youth.

The cover art shows Ranaldo walking near the Walking Men 99 sculpture in Lower Manhattan, a concept he helped design with Matt De Jong. The photo was taken locally, near his neighborhood, and the artwork reflects the touring life.

The album was announced on November 10, 2011, and released in multiple formats: CD, LP, FLAC, and MP3, with bonus iTunes tracks for some editions. Two singles accompanied the release: “Off the Wall” (January 14, 2012) and “Shouts” (May 8, 2012).

To support the release, Ranaldo toured North America and Europe with stops at various festivals, including All Tomorrow’s Parties and the Melbourne International Arts Festival. The record charted in four countries, hitting the Belgian, French, and German album charts, and performing modestly on U.S. charts.

Critically, the album received generally positive reviews, with praise for its melodic songwriting, guitar work, and a shift toward a more accessible, song‑oriented approach. Critics noted a blend of classic rock and pop elements with Ranaldo’s distinctive touch, marking a new direction in his solo career.