Between the Times and the Tides is the ninth studio album by the American alternative rock musician Lee Ranaldo, released on March 20, 2012 on Matador Records.

His first release on Matador Records and since Sonic Youth's indefinite hiatus, the album features a more straightforward songwriting approach to his prior material and includes guest musicians such as Nels Cline, John Medeski and Leah Singer.

Between the Times and the Tide's sound was influenced by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen, as well as contemporary artists such as Cat Power.

Upon its release, Between the Times and the Tides received positive critical acclaim and charted in four countries, including Belgium, France, Germany and the United States.

"[1] After the release of Maelstrom from Drift—a collection of group improvisations, live recordings and home studio sessions—in 2008, Ranaldo's plans developed further.

Following Sonic Youth's indefinite hiatus,[2] he began arranging the material with contributors such as Nels Cline, John Medeski, and Bob Bert.

"[4] When he began recording the album in January 2011 at Echo Canyon West in Hoboken, New Jersey,[5] Ranaldo "started laying them down in a little bit more hi–fi fashion",[3] using studio equipment and effects pedals.

"[3] He further explained that "Fire Island" was the first song he composed in standard tuning since Sonic Youth's debut EP, released in 1982.

[14] Ranaldo promoted Between the Times and the Tides' release with a 28-date tour throughout the United States and Europe, with Wilco, Disappears and M. Ward supporting.

The tour began on April 10, 2010 at The Satellite in Los Angeles, California and concluded on August 3 at the Highland Bowl in Rochester, New York.

[33] Writing for MSN Music, Robert Christgau said Ranaldo's beautifully played guitar work and monophonic compositions complement his good-natured, cogent lyrics, which are "always palpable whether the songs reach out or recalibrate his options".

[28] AllMusic reviewer Heather Phares wrote that he "expands on those qualities in his music and reveals new ones", "displays a strong and surprising classic rock streak" and "gets downright hippie-ish, in a good way.

[25] Filter critic Loren Auda Poin wrote "at times sounding like Hendrix operating a theremin, and elsewhere resembling the mournful cries of lonesome satellites", Ranaldo's songs "are accomplished and take surprising turns, shot through with a mellow fury that's endlessly appealing.

"[26] In a less enthusiastic review for The Guardian, Killian Fox said Between the Times and the Tides was "more interesting sonically in the tension between questing guitars and straightforward song structures than it is in terms of lyrics, which aim to be down to earth but end up middle of the road.

"[27] NME writer John Doran wrote, "sure enough here are a wealth of rock gems that shine with a warm-hearted, Neil Young-like intensity.

"[30] Ben Graham from The Quietus summarised the album as: "while it may be traditional in structure, Between the Times and the Tides is innovative and inimitable in actual performance.