In April 2010, it was revealed that Sonic Youth had recorded the soundtrack for Fabrice Gobert's film "Simon Werner a Disparu". In August and September the band made various references to the soundtrack being assembled via Facebook and Twitter. In November, Steve reported via Facebook that they were nearly finished and that it would be released via SYR. Further tweets/posts commented on artwork, mixing, and mastering. In mid-December, the official announcement was finally made, including the artwork, tracklist, and a trailer. For the first time since SYR5, a vinyl and CD version would be released. A bonus track would be present on the CD, but available via a download card with the LP - both released February 15th, 2011. A digital download was released before either physical format on January 25th, 2011. A preview of several tracks was given on the web-only Mix Tape #8 on sonicyouth.com - "Theme de Simon" and "Escapades" from SYR9, and "Alice et Clara (aspect" and "M. Rabier (aspect)" from a bonus CD that was included with the February 1st release of "Simon Werner a Disparu" on DVD in France.
SYR9 was mostly recorded in February and March 2010 at Echo Canyon West. SY recorded the album as a quartet, with Kim on guitar rather than bass. Jim O'Rourke plays bass on one track, the CD-only "Thème d’Alice". Thurston and Lee both contribute piano in addition to guitar, with Thurston adding some acoustic guitar. The album is entirely instrumental. The band screened scenes from the film while performing 45-minute extrapolations on recurring themes. These were reviewed to determine which ideas to develop for specific scenes. (http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/lp/lp25.html)
01. Thme de Jrmie
02. Alice et Simon
03. Les Anges au piano
04. Chez Yves (Alice et Clara)
05. Jean-Baptiste la fentre
06. Thme de Laetitia
07. Escapades
08. La Cabane au Zodiac
09. Dans les bois M. Rabier
10. Jean-Baptiste et Laetitia
11. Thme de Simon
12. Au Caf
13. Thme d'Alice
Steve Shelley: batterie, percussions
Kim Gordon: guitare
Lee Ranaldo: guitare, piano
Thurston Moore: guitare, piano
Basse sur Theme d'Alice: Jim O'Rourke
