The future of Sonic Youth may still be uncertain, but fans can at least take solace in Matador Records’ announcement today that Lee Ranaldo will release a new solo album called ‘Between The Times & The Tides’ next spring — and judging by the recent live debut of the songs, it’s a fairly rock-oriented affair.

After 27 years of marriage and 30 years as bandmates, Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon today issued a statement announcing they’ve separated, and while Sonic Youth will honor its South American touring commitments next month, the future of the band is uncertain.

This week’s new releases include a pair of 2CD sets from famed synthpop label ZTT Records (an expanded reissue of Propaganda’s ‘A Secret Wish’ and the Art of Noise comp ‘Influence’), as well as a blue-vinyl issue of Devo’s new ‘Something for Everybody’ and the debut from The High Confessions, featuring Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley and Chris Connelly (Ministry, Revolting Cocks).

New Jersey-based radio station WFMU is once again streaming full sets from the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain, today and Saturday, with performance on tap from Wire, Gary Numan, Soft Cell’s Marc Almond and Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera, among others.

Nearly overlooked amid the buzz surrounding Sonic Youth’s forthcoming, back-to-the-indies album is the band’s hefty new book, which is due to be published next week. […]