Thurston Moore
“Temptation Inside Your Heart”
Release Date: August 30, 2025
by Scott Deckman
Former Sonic Youth leader Thurston Moore decided to cover the Velvet Underground rarity “Temptation Inside Your Heart” on the birthday of often-overlooked VU member, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and it’s not bad. Morrison, who went on to become an academic and tugboat captain, was born on August 29, 1942, and died 53 years and one day later on August 30, 1995. Moore’s version is somewhat faithful to the original, but it lacks its swing, is almost twice as long (with an extended atonal guitar sub-freakout of a bridge; how’d that get in there?), and cuts out the homey conversation between Lou and the guys (and capturing the Velvets in such lighthearted conversation is probably, for some, the original track’s key selling point). It’s recommended for fans of either artist, along with those who appreciate other music for uplifting gormandizers.
