Dinosaur Dinosaur

Dinosaur Dinosaur

Track Listings

1. Noise Is Political

2. Killing Machine

3. Surly Ambassador

4. Bubblegum

5. Upon Rock City

6. When Siblings Attack

7. Fat Face

8. We Call You Nasty

9. Tom Delay

10. Seeing Things Again

11. If You Don't Live Here, Don't Surf Here

12. Kingston

13. Hands Off My Issues

14. Kitten Kitten Kitten Kitten Kitten Surprise

Tracks:

Almost Ready
Crumble
Pick Me Up
Back To Your Heart
This Is All I Came To Do
Been There All The Time
It's Me
We're Not Alone
I Got Lost
Lightning Bulb
What If I Knew

Amazon.com

Since bassist Lou Barlow left Dinosaur Jr. in 1989, the band--whose last record was 1997's expansive Hand It Over--has largely become an alter-ego moniker for guitarist/vocalist J Mascis. But now the original trio (including drummer Emmett "Murph" Murphy) has reunited for the first time since Barlow's split, and the 11-song outcome makes one ask: Why did they wait so long? Mascis's thunderous "Almost Ready," featuring both his combustible guitar and weary vocals, is the perfect blast-off, allowing Murphy's backbeat to set a turbulent pace early, and while songs like "Been There All the Time" and the Neil Young accolade "This Is All I Came to Do" have Mascis as primed as ever, Barlow (whose '90s-era Sebadoh set the bar for lo-fi bands) reappears with two of the record's strongest tracks: the poppy "Lightning Bulb" and "Back to Your Heart," which recalls late-in-the-game Hüsker Dü. These 50 minutes of music are as cohesive as they are conquering, and whether the same can be said of the once-prickly relationship between Mascis and Barlow will ultimately decide if this is a one-off reunion or if the real Dinosaur Jr. is back for awhile. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

Beyond Expectations.......2007-07-04

Mr Mascis, Barlow and Murph (original band lineup) are back to deliver this new incredible D Jr. album. Is a nice mixture of raging rock, ballads and country rock the only way this guys can do. I recommend the crushing opener "Almost Ready" and also for the first time on a D Jr. album is included a Barlow's song, the beautiful "Back to Your Heart". Definitely recommended for the non- or die hard D Jr. fan.

Beyond belief.......2007-07-04

What can I say>?
Green Mind changed my life forever. It was *the* album to live by when I was in college, some 15+ years ago. It defined a thoughtful, angsty existence for a thinking, feeling American adolescent. And the drums, bass, vocals, guitar... they were all amazing. Honed to fuzzy sonic perfection. Mascis ranks near to Neal Young for literally being able to speak volumes with his guitar work. He just goes and goes and goes. The newer albums never lived up to the perfection of the classics, from the original "Dinosaur" to "Bug" and "You're Living All Over Me." But they all had 3 or 4 great songs that made them worth the while.
When I heard a new album was coming out, I was very skeptical to say the least.
Now I am in disbelief.
This new album, "Beyond," is amazing. Some of the best alt-rock songs recorded to date. And Barlow, who could be annoying and self-indulgent in the past, has actually performed some real winners.
This album is a gift to the music loving public.
I can't say enough good things about it.

Lou Barlow Back for Beyond.......2007-06-29

To me, this is the best album Dinosaur Jr. has put out since 'Green Mind' in 1991. I probably am one of the few who didn't care for 'Where You Been'.
Of course those two albums didn't have the original Dinosaur lineup. By 1989 bassist Lou Barlow was kicked out of the band and that same year formed Sebadoh and later on Folk Implosion.
Only a couple of years ago Merge Records re-released the original Dinosaur classics (the first 3) and soon re-issued 'Green Mind' w/ three bonus tracks and 1993's 'Where You Been' (I only liked the opening song: "Out There").
Soon a whole new fanbase of Dinosaur Jr. sprouted and I do believe it helped ignite this reunion of the three original members: J, Lou & drummer Murph.
Yes! Lou Barlow is back and he writes/sings two of the eleven songs on 'Beyond' - "Back to Your Heart" and "Lightning Bulb" -which should bring a smile to any Dino-fan, that's followed the band since 1988's 'Bug'.
I haven't been a fan for that long, but I have been a devoted fan for about 12 years now, even when two of the worst Dinosaur Jr. albums were released 'Without A Sound' and 'Hand It Over'-

At the start of 'Beyond' from the opening chords of "Almost Ready" you just know Dinosaur Jr. are back with that fully charged noisy jangly bliss, they are known for!
Then on to two other near perfect Dino tracks, the swooning "Crumble" and the soaring "Pick Me Up".
As always exceptionally awesome guitar playing from J. Mascis. Yeah he's still got it! A highly under-rated guitarist that the mainstream should be taking notes from.
One of my favorite tracks is the In-your-face onslaught of "Been There All the Time" an instant classic for sure and just as good as most of the songs on my favorite Dinosaur Jr. album - 'Bug'.
I also really like J 's softest track on 'Beyond' the song "I Got Lost"-

Lets hope the original Dinosaur Jr. lineup is here to stay because this is the band's best in over 15 years.

Sounds Like What 'Green Mind'.......2007-06-26

would have been had Lou not left the band after 'Bug'. Not much else to say...brilliant!

Holy Cow S**t.......2007-06-26

Such a great sound. I read a review that rang so true; it's the Lou Barlow driving bass and of course J, but a J more confident than ever. It has the sound of earlier Djr, but also Green Mind, but also something "Beyond" all of that.
And they still Rock harder than any B-S that is out there currently. If Young MTVers don't get into these guys now, then the superfluous shallowness of our "celebrity" loving youth has truly hit it's watermark.

It used to be that the best artists and the best music became famous because nothing could hold it back, and people wanted the best. You didn't have people listen to Pink Floyd because it was getting saturated on the airwaves. No way, they were good, so people bought their stuff.

Here's hoping that albums like this one help our youth in America find there own way. The 30 somethings (I am one) that have corrupted our youth into materialistic celebrity slavery can't hold onto the youths' attention if albums like this become a new trend. Yes, record companies and MTV decide airplay a lot, but when something is great and people take notice without MTVs help, then MTV, etc. cannot help BUT play it. If the public demands, it gets. My more pessimistic nature tells me this album is an aberration, and will not be a new norm, but who knows, maybe J., Lou, and Murph can keep going at this high level. If so, soon enough the general public will have to take notice.

If not, then I get to keep being a Music Snob, knowing music most others don't. Whoopity do, I'd rather the world experience Dinosaur Jr. and the like.

I heard some Grammy talk below. That would be sweet. Arcade Fire got screwed a couple years ago on that, Wu-Tang also years before, I don't take too much stock in Awards, but like that poster said, I wouldn't miss J.'s acceptance speech for the world!!!!! They definitely have the best Rock Album of the Year. Buy it!

Average customer rating:

when rock was just rock
Bona fide classic - look no further
ive got the gtus now to meet your eye
A Joyful Noise
brilliant

You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Merge Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beyond
Green Mind
Double Nickels on the Dime
Without a Sound
Daydream Nation

ASIN: B0007NMK9Y
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Little Fury Things
Kracked
Sludgefeast
Lung
Raisans
Tarpit
In a Jar
Lose
Poledo
Just Like Heaven
Little Fury Things [Video][Multimedia Track]
Just Like Heaven [Video][Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

when rock was just rock.......2007-05-20

The 80's was a period of continued growth and expansion for rock, it was possibly one of the last true creative times save for a few flashes of brilliance in the 90's, of the many great bands to crop up from that period (and let's face it, we'd be here for god knows how long naming them) dinosaur jr was one of the true greats. J Mascis and Lou Barlow formed Dinosaur, Sounding nothing quite like many of their SST contemporaries, Dinosaur Jr blended elements of thrash, excessive feedback, pop harmonies and catchy melodies. No other band up to this point had a front man quite like Mascis; who sounds relaxed, detached, even lazy, his vocal delivery has gone on to inspire countless other musicians, the most famous being Kurt Cobain. This is one of those rare records that from front to back is literally great, there isn't one ounce of filler nor is there a second wasted, every song on this record is solid, rocks and is catchy. The album kicks off with "Little Furry Things," which starts off in a wash of feedback and shrieking then settling into a rather catchy tune dealing with, yes, rabbits. Highlights include: the lung, raisans, poledo, and my personal favorite, in a jar. In a jar is one of those classic soured relationship tunes drawing comparisons to being kept as a pet in a jar next to a bed. The album closes with some interesting Barlow compositions, foreshadowing his next project, Sebadoh, another fine band. The expanded edition includes a killer rendition of The Cure song, "just like heaven." Robert Smith himself has stated in interviews that after hearing this, the band has since played the song live the way dinosaur jr. has here. Highly recommended for new comers to the band.

Bona fide classic - look no further.......2007-03-14

There's something about this album that speaks to me, and I'm not alone I gather. Dinosaur Jr.'s second album is the very definition of a gem. There's not a single track on here without the spark that turns a great album into a masterwork. Dinosaur had really kicked into gear by 1986, and `...Living All Over Me' is a far more focused and ferocious effort than their debut (which is great too, by the way). They are audibly more confident this time around, maybe because of the endorsement of Thurston Moore et al (who Lou Barlow is quoted as saying are "the coolest band in the world"), and there's so much flair, so many of those wonderful touches of genius that make my ears prick up, that I wouldn't mind committing myself to proclaiming this the best American indie/grunge record of all time.

And to the songs... well, where do we start? Honestly, they're all fantastic. But my favourites are `Kracked' (with its breakdown to bass and then a blazing solo), `The Lung' (which gets my vote for their true classic), `Raisans' (marvellous lyrics, a chorus that's all choruses need), and `In A Jar'. The latter could be the blueprint for the rest of the album: a brilliant Neil Young-style chord progression fed through different layers of distortion, building to one of the most unrestrainedly wild closing sections I've ever heard.

All three members are on top form here. They sound like they're challenging each other to beat their own performance. Now, I know that the recording quality isn't exactly ideal, but that's what gives this record the feeling that the band were just in the right headspace to go into the studio, and create something as fiery and impassioned as this without slowing down. It couldn't have been done any other way. It couldn't sound any cleaner and still have that spark. I saw the band perform this in its entirety at the London Koko in August 06, and hearing it this way really takes some beating.

And there we have it - a totally gushing review of a totally brilliant album. Buy it now!

ive got the gtus now to meet your eye.......2007-02-06

this is a great cd. j really puts his feelings onto this cd and its really relate table

A Joyful Noise.......2007-01-20

Beautiful, thick transcendent guitar solos. Songs with hooks to die for. A crunchy exterior that encloses some of the most touching melodies ever created in rock. This is a great, great record that everyone with even a passing interest in what became known as "alternative rock" should own. The true inspiration for My Bloody Valentine's wall of sound, and for others too numerous to mention. J mascis' goal was "ear bleeding country" and if you play these songs stripped of their sonic assault on an acoustc guitar you can hear what he's talking about. The lyrics may be obscure and inscrutable, but somehow that only adds to the charm and the feeling of loss that pervades the LP. Fans of this record should do everything they can to get their hands on bootlegs of the band from this period, where tensions ran high and the material (and songs from their first record like "Severed Lips" and "Quest") gets absolutely SLAYED ...it's like the LP on steroids!! Ira Kaplan begged them to "turn it down" when he was a soundman back in the day, but for once his musical instincts were wrong. Flame on!

brilliant.......2007-01-16

One of the best albums of the 80s, and it stands the test of time. A sonic mix of neil young and hardcore punk. Anyone who likes Nirvana or the Smashing Pumpkins will like this distortion filled masterpiece.

Average customer rating:

Tori-ish
Very good CD by an amazing artist
Good follow up
even better than expected
Brilliant

Stromata
Charlotte Martin
Manufacturer: Dinosaur Fight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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On Your Shore
IV
Bleeding Heart Graffiti
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ASIN: B000HIP46K
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Stromata
Cut the Cord
Drip
Little Universe
Civilized
A Hopeless Attempt
Four Walls
Inch
Keep Me In Your Pocket
Pills
Just Before Dawn
Cardboard Ladders
The Dance
Redeemed

Album Description

Resonant drums, electronic flourishes, and illustrative synth and keyboard work form a lush backdrop for Charlotte's expressive storytelling and classically trained voice.

Customer Reviews:

Tori-ish.......2007-07-03

I confess. I like Tori Amos. If you're willing to make the same confession, you'll like Charlotte Martin. Charlotte has the same breathless choir-girl to screaming diva vocal range that Tori does, and the same disturbing to incomprehensible lyrical style - and it is all powered by strong piano chords and keyboard prowess.

This former Miss Teen Illinois' latest release, "Stromata" is an album filled with power and a wit that seems to hearken back to the same places of other "solo girls" like Tori, Anne Sexton (poet) and Emily Dickinson.

Spiritually speaking, Stromata is pretty much awash in spiritual vaguery - which makes sense because she seems pretty spiritually vague in most of her interviews, (read "I'm spiritual but not religious."). There are some bright points that can be reinterpreted or properly interpreted by the Christian listener in songs like "I Am Redeemed" and "Four Walls."

There is a very disturbing side to many of Charlotte's lyrics. The song "Pills" is a playful tune that seems to communicate death's grin as it is seen by people caught by addiction. "Cut the Cord," a song about leaving an abusive relationship captures the pain as well as the journey to freedom from slavery to another person not only with its lyrics but with its percussion-fronting style.

Stromata is an album worth your time and Charlotte Martin is an artist who deserves a couple of listens.

Very good CD by an amazing artist.......2007-06-13

Charlotte Martin's second record, "Stromata" is much different from "On Your Shore," but just as good. Charlotte continues her foray into the electronic world which she began on her first EP "Test Drive Songs" back in 2002.

The album begins with "Stromata", the most powerful song on the album, with mysterious lyrics and harsh, thrashing vocals.

"Cut the Cord" smashes in with resonant tribal drum beats and a crazy rocking sensibility.

"Drip" follows with flowing keyboard/piano work and tounge-twister lyrics.

"Little Universe" is the most experimental song on the album, and she definitely gets her Bjork on here. Listen to this song with headphones. It's a sonic and epic journey.

"Civilized" is rocking with fast piano work reminiscent of Fiona Apple and Ben Folds. You get to hear angry Charlotte in this song too: "Why can't we keep this civilized? / Why can't the girl just shut her mouth?"

"A Hopeless Attempt" is a lullabye-like song that will bring the well-versed fan back to "Bones," the second track from her 2005 EP "Veins."

"Four Walls" is the most accessible song on the album, with a catchy chorus and dance-inducing beats.

"Inch" is a piano ballad that she's played live many times before finally releasing it, and it's as good as it always was. I could do without the dream-like guitar in the background though.

"Keep Me In Your Pocket" is a fun, clap-along song with a great chorus.

The album takes a bit of a downhill slip at this point, which is why I give the album 4 stars. "Pills" is a cute, playful song with lyrics like "Pills that make the boys a little frisky / Pills the help the girls fight PMS". Kind of a throw back to the live, loosen-the-crowd-up songs like "I'm Normal, Please Date Me" and "Uncomfortable Things." But it probably would have been better suited as a b-side, because it kind of interrupts the flow of the album.

"Just Before Dawn" shows off her classically trained opera skills. Impressive, but I find myself skipping it most of the time.

"Cardboard Ladders" is a thought-provoking song whose lyrics are the most important element, but aside from the beautiful bridge, musically this song is a little boring.

Charlotte brings it back with "The Dance," which is THE song of the album, and most Charlotte Martin fans will agree with me, with echoeing drums and soaring vocals.

"Redeemed" is another live-favorite that finally got a studio version, and is a great note to end the album on.

All in all, this is a wonderful album. Buy it. For the record though, while I love and am very impressed with Charlotte as an experimental artist and producer, I hope the third album has a little bit more acoustic piano songs, because that's what made me fall in love with her on "On Your Shore."

Good follow up.......2007-03-28

Maybe not quite as addictive (I think perhaps it lacks as much flow) as "On Your Shore" it is still a very good set from Martin, showing new growth and some experimentation. Two thumbs up - worth buying!

even better than expected.......2007-03-12

If you like Tori Amos at all... you will LOVE Charlotte Martin's CDs. This new CD is definitely heaven to listen to.

Brilliant.......2007-01-08

When I first found Charlotte Martin, it was on a listening rack at a bookstore. The first song on her album On your Shore totally blew me away. Finding that CD might've counted for one of the luckiest moments in my life.

Since then, I've been leafing through music trying to find something to satisfy my need for more of her tunes, when I stumbled upon Stromata. I received her CD as a Christmas gift, and I haven't stopped listening to it since. Although Stromata and On Your Shore are two very different albums, they both speak to me as no other CD has before.

Many of Martin's new songs (A Hopeless Attempt, Inch, The Dance) still keep the same tone that lived in On Your Shore, when other songs (Drip, Little Universe, Stromata) show an entirely new side of her. At first I found many of the new songs eerie, maybe even spooky, but they grew on me quickly and add a touch of spice to the songs that On Your Shore never had. Two songs that can't seem to fit into either category are Pills (the quirkiest song on the album) and the opera-like Just Before Dawn. My favorite songs are Civilized, Inch and Keep Me in Your Pocket.

To me, this album is brilliant. Because I am a young listener, I find it extremely difficult to find music worth listening to out there. Many of the CDs my friends listen to seem to be lagging behind in quality. Stromata is a breathtaking, exquisite, superb new album and my favorite CD.

Average customer rating:

Another Platinum Gem By Ken Andrews
Not as good as it should be
worth the wait
Review of Ken Andrews
Ken Andrews- Need I say more?

Secrets of the Lost Satellite
Ken Andrews
Manufacturer: Dinosaur Fight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Magnified
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ASIN: B000MV8D6U
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

Allergic
Up or Down
In Your Way
Secret Things
Write Your Story
Perfect Days
What Its Like
Does Anybody Know
Tripped Up
The 23rd Boy
Without

Album Description

"Write Your Story", a track Ken co-wrote with Jordon Zadorozny, strays from what is heard on past Failure, ON, and Rabbit releases. Somewhere in the musical vein of Air and The Doves, the dreamy undertones of the song echo alongside luxuriant vocals.

"Jordon and I have worked together a lot in the past, except with the underlying roles reversed (I was producing him in the past). We both, play, sing, engineer, and produce, so we tend to get into the nitty-gritty of things real quick. Jordon is one of the very few people I'm completely comfortable writing with for my own album. He and I share a writing sensibility that we don't talk about, it just happens. Plus, he completely understands my musical history and what I was trying to achieve on this album. His role was primarily co-producer, but he played quite a few instruments on various songs, and he co-wrote probably my favorite song on the album, "Write Your Story."

"Secret Things", one of the album's standout tracks, combines tripped-out strings with a synth-bass groove creating a demanding, viscerally appeal. Live instruments (drums, piano, and guitar) mingle with electronic elements. Strong, hooky vocals keep the song on course. "In Your Way", another stylistically dynamic track pulls the listener into an eerie, enticing space/dream world.

Customer Reviews:

Another Platinum Gem By Ken Andrews.......2007-06-27

One of the finest albums I've ever listened to. Ken Andrews has a true gift for singing, writing, playing both bass and electric guitar, producing, and mixing. Over the last 15 years of his life, he has put out gem after gem, starting with comfort, and this album, is one of his finest achievement. Any music fan in need of inspiration or any musician & artist in need of inspiration, should pick up this album, its very sweet, like a dozen red roses on valentines day. It hits a nerve, and still rocks out!

Ken is the finest solo artist of all time, and this is one of the best albums of all time, and a must have for any true music fan.

Not as good as it should be.......2007-06-24

hmmm,this record is really good but...personally,I was waiting for more.I dont know why Ken re-arrenged some songs for final release??? they were MUCH BETTER:(

PS if you're looking for amazing record by Ken Andrews you should try this one --- ON "Make Believe"

worth the wait.......2007-06-06

ken andrews, formerly of failure, on year of the rabbit, finally comes out with an album under his own name. It was a long time coming, and definitely worth the wait. I have been a fan of his since magnified first came out, and this is about as good as it gets. Every song is layered, textured, and recorded to perfection. There is not a weak spot on it, although it is a lot more laid back than his previous efforts. I would recommend this album for fans of any of ken's previous works, and for people wanting something for a midnight drive, and for anyone openminded in their music who is sick of all the [..] they play on the radio.

Review of Ken Andrews.......2007-05-10

I've been a fan of Ken Andrews work for a long time and was excited to hear his new album, but was disappointed with his new work. The songs didn't give me the sensation of hairs standing up on the back of my neck. Each song sounded exactly the same. I don't know what's going on but to me he seems to have lost his passion in his song writing. Honestly his new CD is good for a few listen and then you put it on the shelf for a year or two then you go back to it and listen again and relize why you put it on the shelf in the first place.

Ken Andrews- Need I say more?.......2007-04-03

Songwriting 101 - by Ken Andrews

Engineers listen up... This is the latest in HOW to record an album!
Ken has again succeeded to move further away from the mainstream lol and reality.

Average customer rating:

Kings of Slacker Rock
Chaotic+ Melodic Heavily Catchy Indie Rock
A Study in Contrasts
The Third in the Trilogy
My fist Dino album.

Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Merge Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Green Mind
Beyond
Without a Sound
Where You Been
Green Mind

ASIN: B0007NMKB2
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Freak Scene
No Bones
They Always Come
Yeah We Know
Let It Ride
Pond Song
Budge
Post
Don't
Keep the Glove
Freak Scene [Video]
No Bones [Video]

Customer Reviews:

Kings of Slacker Rock.......2007-05-07

Where has this band been all my life? You know that feeling right? You've been ignoring a band for such a long time. You keep hearing things about them, but for whatever reason just don't get around to listening to them. Then when you do, it's so mind-blowingly amazing and exactly everything that you like about music that you wish you had gotten in on the ground floor. That's how I felt about Dinosaur Jr the first time I heard this album. Regrettably, that was only about 4 months ago.

I came across Dinosaur Jr in my journey to fill the holes of my musical knowledge (I am one of those obsessive music people, with a bias towards underground and indie). I never liked the eighties at all, so I was in the course of listening to all the underground acts that I had missed by dismissing the whole decade for so long. Along the way I discovered the Minutemen, Husker Du, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Echo & the Bunnymen and many more that I had heard mentioned a lot but had basically ignored (more because of the fact that I always have such a long list of bands to listen to that I never got to it). I kept seeing Dinosaur Jr's name pop up, but it was still last on the list. What a shock when I finally heard "Freak Scene" by them! It was one of those moments where, before you even are done listening to the song the first time, you know it has entered into your personal pantheon of all-time great songs. Naturally, I went out and bought `Bug' which only cemented my love of Dino Jr and I have since become very familiar with their whole catalogue.

`Bug', currently the last album by the original trio, opens with a one-two sucker punch of "Freak Scene" and "No Bones". "Freak Scene" opens as lazy garage rock at it's finest, with J delivering the first verse in typical laid back fashion:
"Seen enough to eye you,
But I seen too much to try you.
It's always weirdness while you
Dig it much too much to fry you.
The weirdness flows between us,
Anyone could tell to see us.
Freak scene just can't believe us,
Can't it just be cool and free us."
The last line is delivered and almost drowned out by the immediate thrashing on low E. The bashing seems to be the musical representation of breaking free, although it doesn't seem to work because the first verse is repeated as some acoustic strumming manages to peak it's head forward. Maybe J decided to stop trying to break free and accept his place? No, as he says it's "so f**ked I can't believe it...what a mess it's best to leave it." The following guitar solo is perfect, but it's when everything suddenly drops out and J delivers the classic last lines that "Freak Scene" crosses the threshold of greatness:
"Sometimes I don't thrill you,
Sometimes I think I'll kill you.
Just don't let me f**k up will you,
Cause when I need a friend it's still you."
Clearly this is a song about a particularly stormy relationship, but there's just something in the details of it that make it more. Maybe it's just the fact that this is the first song I ever heard by them, the one that started it all for me. Maybe the way that even after that last verse you still can just barely make out Mascis sigh "what a mess" as he fires his way through the final solo.

"No Bones" pretty much continues in this same fashion. The little descending guitar riff/fill that permeates throughout the song gives it a unique identity on the album as it slowly winds its way to the climactic end. The solo at the end gives out to what sounds like layers of feedback that can best be described as sounding how lightning actually looks. Keep listening for the acoustic guitar strumming that doesn't quite break through the noise completely, but the feedback somehow compliments it while J slowly sings the last verse.

"Yeah We Know" is set apart by the bludgeoning wah-wah riff that refuses to let up at any point, as well as yet another great solo. "Let It Ride" is, musically, a bit of a lighthearted point of the album and on this album that's quite welcome. "Pond Song" continues this kind of faux-happy sound. The guitar is somewhat restrained, with a great riff and quiet, high pitched feedback that beautifully harmonizes with J. throughout the song, which is one of the album highlights. "Budge" follows with some straight ahead grunge rock comparable to Pearl Jam with a touch of Pavement (and it's worth noting that Pavement weren't formed until a year later).

As a rabid Neil Young fan, it's really no surprise that Dinosaur Jr has quickly become such a favorite. J Mascis somehow manages to channel not only Neil's voice, but his lead guitar and songwriting style as well. The big, dumb riffs of "Yeah We Know" are pure `Rust Never Sleeps', while things like "Pond Song" and "Keep the Glove" have melodies that recall the poppier songs from `Zuma' or `Everybody Knows'. Of course, all this is not to say that Dino Jr sounds anything like a Crazy Horse cover band. Certainly they are informed by the hardcore scene they came out of, as witnessed in the thrashy parts of "Freak Scene" and obviously in "Don't". The rhythm section of Murph and Barlow are also clearly more musical than Crazy Horse at their best.

After `Bug', bassist Lou Barlow left, feeling smothered by Mascis, to form his own band, Sebadoh, which would become a great indie band in it's own right. Dinosaur Jr's first three albums would become huge influences on Pavement, Pearl Jam, Weezer, and of course Nirvana which, looking back, ironically would become a dinosaur of a different sort. J. continued making albums under the bands name until 1997, never quite reaching the same heights but coming awfully close on `Where You Been?' and `Green Mind'. The new album, `Beyond', proves that they are as great as ever, if not better. Long live Dinosaur Jr.

Chaotic+ Melodic Heavily Catchy Indie Rock.......2007-04-01

Explosively Fun, fast and heavy...I am so excited that the original lineup are back together and releasing new material sometime in 2007. Bug which came out in 1988, was the last album to come out by Dinosaur Jr.s' original line-up: J. Mascis - Lead Vocals and guitar, Lou Barlow - Bass - & Murph on drums.
Bug is the band's third and at least to me, it's also their best!
This one is more of a structered, and more accessible sound then their previous albums - (Dinosaur-s/t- 1985, & "You're Living All Over Me" 1987). 1988 also was the year that the band changed their name from "Dinosaur" to Dinosaur Jr. A San-Francisco band who had the same name protested, so J. and crew added Jr.
This was J's band from the start and there was a lot of differences and frustrated tension between the lead singer and Lou Barlow. This showed quite a bit in the band's live shows resulting in more ferocity and aggression than ever, in some ways maybe for the better. Although some live shows were said to be just plain awful. J ends up kicking L. Barlow out of the band, and Lou would form his own band - Sebadoh in 1989.
Opening track "Freak Scene" - become a college radio hit and a U.K. indie chart topper. Mumbled slowed down folkish vocals were J. Mascis' signature including fast "grungy" ragged riffs, and streaming fire blazing guitar solos were Dinosaur Jr.s' trademark and I do feel it is best shown on all of these 10 tracks. Also more accessible like I said before. Songs like "Freak Scene" - "No Bones" - & "Let It Ride" if came out about three years later really could have given the "Grunge Kings" like Nirvana and Pearl Jam; a real challenge for that crown. J sang w/ such a folk-melodic style with chaotically over-charged pure white noise to back up his voice. Pretty close to my definition of a heavy metal sound. He was the true king of the quiet to loud sound.
In a lot of Dinosaur's music J.Mascis vocal delivery sounds a lot like Neil Young, this is mainly apparent on Bug in songs: "Pond Song" & closing track "Keep the Glove."
You can really sense the aggressive tension in the ferocity all the way through, from the original trio's swan-song. Fast Forward to 2007 and they're back together hopefully settling their differences and back to play live again and make some more killer music!
Bug is for Rock fans of all ages, heavier than any of the "BIG" grunge names in the '90s. And another one of my FAVORITES! Yep - 5 stars

A Study in Contrasts.......2006-04-09

This CD has no less impact than when it came out eighteen years ago. As Byron Coley says on the band's website, it shows their sound becoming more orderly as they were ready to burst from internal strife. Well, sad but true, but tension often makes for the best music of a band's career, and J didn't live up to the manic glory here ever again. (Now this line-up is reunited! Got to see them for the first time with Lou on bass last week. HO-LY CRRRRRAAAP!!!).

So many highlights, where do you start? I think Kurt really learned the soft/hard dynamic from J, and in many ways J's use of it sounds more fresh (likely because a trillion J wanna-be's failed to ever pop up--only a score, Kurt being one of them). The album starts with this in somewhat famous fashion on "Freak Scene," where there's a major chord strumming pattern that is mildly distorted. Within in a minute, the low E power chord is thrashed so hard that the piece resembles a form of proto-death metal. The middle part is really pretty . . . and then back to the death metal. A lot of the songs feature this dynamic & it really never gets boring. If you have the right tools, use them to make as many creations as possible. I think my favorite use of this dynamic is in "Pond Song." It starts out with a delicate picking pattern: "Long distance left you undecided/ I'd sprinkle enough to let you know," J pathetically croons to the girlfriend he never finds. Before you know it, the song is awash in fuzz, reverb, and thrashing chords. This pattern happens to match J's attitude towards his love interest, which alternates between tender yearning and murderous disenchantment, best reflected in "Freak Scene": "Sometimes I don't thrill you/ Sometimes I think I'll kill you./ Just don't let me f**k up will you,/ 'Cos when I need a friend it's still you."

There's so much more to say about this classic, but I will leave it at the guitars for now. Simply put, the interplay between J on guitar and Lou on bass remains a high watermark for alternative. Sometimes muddy, but always evocative of new and fresh emotions, there have been few power trios who have got as much out of their guitars (Rush comes to mind, tho' I know the hipster "cognoscenti" would poo-poo me for saying this). Lou ups the ante with his use of chords and arpeggios on the bass for one thing. J himself is certainly one of the top guitarists in the history of alternative. He's not a harmonic genius in the technical sense: more in the intuitive sense. His use of feedback is heartbreakingly beautiful at times (the solo in "No Bones" amply evidences this). He uses dissonance strategically, creating hooks out of repeating skronky lines after a particularly melodic run (again, the second solo in "Freak Scene" is great for this). He shreds the thing like he's, well, ready to break it in two. Oh yeah, and it's LOUD. I saw them live (without Lou) back in the early '90's. J would play solos and my head literally felt like it was being cleft at the lobes. It hurt!!! But it was the true definition of sublimity: intense pleasure mixed with intense pain. You, too, may be able to feel the pain if they come to your area and smash your head on the punk rock.

Last contrast: I played this to my girlfriend for the first time today. She liked it a lot. Of all the grunge bands in the '90's, this was a good one for the women, 'cos J writes more traditional melodies and also wears his heart on his sleeve, unlike, say, the phrygian modes and D&D bludgeonings of Soundgarden. Male/female, yin/yang, silence/noise, love/hate, within/beyond . . . _Bug_ has more than enough contrasts to keep you occupied for a long, long time to come.

The Third in the Trilogy.......2005-11-30

This album came out a year after the classic "You're Living All Over Us" and maybe it was too much to ask to surpass it. That doesn't mean 'Bug' is a bad album, not at all. It makes the Dinosaur JR with Lou trilogy complete.

The first song however might be the best of all the early Dinosaur work. "Freak Scene" is an indie classic that can rival with Pavement's 'Cut Your Hair' or even 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'

Everything is in order again, the sound is still murky but that's part of their sound back then. J's guitar sound is great of course. The sound is a little more varied and fresh, there's even an occassional acoustic guitar in there.

Songs like 'Pond' and 'No Bones' remind you of the previous albums and 'Budge' seems to be the ultimate song showing the old but also the new Dinosaur that would later record 'Green Mind'.

Like YLAOM this album is like wine, it gets better over time and even though it might not get a Hall of Fame status, it's still really good.

My fist Dino album........2005-08-26

Being 13 years old, I missed all the my favorite bands when they were in their prime (Sonic Youth, Polvo, Pavement etc etc), which is upsetting at times but at least I can get these sweet reissues.

I read about DJ from the coolest record reviewer,Mark Prindle [...] I liked what he had to say and looked furiously for these records. Well, it just happened to be the day that I went to the record store, that these things came out. I had to beg some guy to let me buy it, but I got it!

All the songs are fantastic. Let It Ride has to be the best song on here, in my opinion. The Post is one of the greatest noise songs ever. J is a guitar genious.

I highly recommend this and I'm waiting patiently for the reunited Dino to come down to Florida so I can finally see a great band.

Average customer rating:

Trout Fishing in America has wide appeal
Big Trouble is great
Great, Upbeat Music for the whole Family!
this is so funny!
The Reason I rarely buy stupid popular character kids music

Big Trouble
Trout Fishing in America
Manufacturer: Trout Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mine!
It's a Puzzle
inFINity
Family Music Party
My Best Day

ASIN: B000003JX9
Release Date: 1994-07-05

Tracks:

When I Was Dinosaur
Big Trouble
The Cat Came Back
I Think I'll Need A Bandaid
What I Want Is A Proper Cup Of Coffee
The Window
Pico De Gallo
Nobody
We Are The Dinosaurs
Day Care Blues
Teddy Bear's Picnic
Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Trout Fishing in America has wide appeal.......2007-04-12

After hearing Trout Fishing in America at a concert in my home town, I decided to buy a CD for my husband and me and one for my 7-year-old granddaughter. When we got together, we played (her) "Big Trouble" and (our) "My Best Day". I don't know who enjoyed it more--the children, the parents, or the grandparents. My granddaughter was soon singing along with "When I Was a Dinosaur" and other favorites on the CD which is not surprising when you consider how many times she listened to it during the weekend. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood are wonderful musicians, clever song-writers, and just all-around great entertainers. Here's to many more years of their audience-pleasing CD's and personal appearances.

Big Trouble is great.......2006-08-09

My favorite is still Family Party, but that's probably because I've had it for years--I bought it even before my son was born. We enjoy Big Trouble, we just have to listen to it more often to really get to know the songs. We especially like the title song--that poor kid, in such big trouble because the monsters have wrecked his house!

Great, Upbeat Music for the whole Family!.......2006-07-02

I used to work at a toy store and believe me we had to play some really bad music, but when this cd was on, the time just flew by. Now I listen to this music with my son. It is really upbeat and is something I would recommend when you need to pass the time like when you're in the car or cleaning up. The songs are creative, not the same old sing alongs you get on all the other kids' music cds.

this is so funny!.......2006-03-10

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN WHEN I PUT THIS CD ON WE LAUGH AND IT'S EVEN FUN FOR ADULTS! I THREW HER OUT THE WINDOW! MY SON WHO WE GOT THIS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY LOVED HEARING THIS ON HIS SCHOOL BUS!HE TOLD ME THAT HE WANTED THIS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY.WELL THANK GOODNESS AMAZON HAD IT AND FOR CHEAP! I NEVER KNEW THAT ORDERING COULD BE SO FUN AND FAST!

The Reason I rarely buy stupid popular character kids music.......2006-01-07

Popular fad kids music willl never be able to compare to the perfection that is Trout fishing in America. Fresh, funny, lively addictive music the whole family will want to listen to together.
I was introduced to Trout fisning in America long before I had kids. My husband had 2 CDs fromhis college days.
Every single son on this tape is memerable. YOu will find yourself singing, or trying to sing along in the case of Proper Cup of Coffee!
There are way too many laugh out loud lyrics, the music is contagious and makes you want to move.
Lastly Lullaby is actually a sweet beautiful piece.
NOt only are they fun songs but these 2 men have great voices!

Average customer rating:

Fill your head with GREEN MIND
Thank you Rhino!

Green Mind
Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Where You Been
Whatever's Cool With Me
Without a Sound
Beyond
Where You Been

ASIN: B000EXZH56
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Tracks:

Wagon
Puke & Cry
Blowing It
I Live For That Look
Flying Cloud
How'd You Pin That One On Me
Water
Muck
Thumb
Green Mind
Hot Burrito #2
Turnip Farm
Forget It

Album Description

Fronted by singer-songwriter/guitarist J Mascis, Dinosaur Jr. formed in Massachusetts in 1984. Their emergence was a musical shot heard round the world as Mascis and company put the heroics of lead guitar back into the forefront of the indie rock realm-amazingly, it was a revolutionary idea at the time. Post-punk and pre-grunge, they were an intense force to be reckoned with, and when the band signed to Sire in '91, Mascis' shreddingly unique alt-rock sound was cranked up for vast new audiences of eardrums. These expanded remasters of Dinosaur Jr's first two major label albums spotlight one of the most distinctive and influential artists of the '90s in prime form.

Customer Reviews:

Fill your head with GREEN MIND.......2007-04-18

Green Mind was released in 1991 and is considered a transition for Dinosaur Jr. Released by Sire this is the Band's major label debut.
Although it is practically a One-man solo project ran by Dinosaur's leader/vocalist J. Mascis. Drummer Murph only contributes his drum banging on three of the original's ten tracks.
Green Mind, is the Band's fourth release and it is more mellow and less abrasive and heavy than their previous works. This does show the Band maturing and moving forward w/ the most variety so far.
"The Wagon" - starts things off on the right foot and continues the Dinosaur Jr. tradition of beginning each album with a Killer (hit) track!
The album's inner notes sum up this song Best by saying "The Wagon teeters between raging emotions and raging guitars perfectly."
Green Mind also features My All-Time Favorite Song: "How Did You Pin That One On Me" - Rolling Stone magazine says this is: "..the glorious noise every garage band dreams of."
This album also features for the first time acoustic sounds that may have turned off many hard-core Dino-fans and/or music critics, but I just LOVE this transition. I think they took their heavy sounds as far as it could go from their indie debut through my fave - "Bug"
A couple more melodic or acoustic songs are "Flying Cloud" which sounds kind of like a folky Led Zeppelin number maybe off their 1969 2nd record, like "The Lemon Song."
And the other more melodic acoustic song is "Water" - a gorgeous relaxingly catchy track w/ soothing Neil Young inspired vocals.
This Re-mastered Cd contains three bonus tracks: 1)Hot Burrito #2 - a cover from Gram Parsons and features background vocals from actor Matt Dillon! 2) "Turnip Farm" - off the "Reality Bites" movie soundtrack & 3) "Forget It" - My Favorite Bonus track of these three and a perfect closer.

Thank you Rhino!.......2006-06-04

Just like "Where You Been," this CD sounds GREAT! The bonus tracks on this release are very good. I've listened to the old version 1000+ times and the remaster really does expand the sound exponentially. Thanks again Rhino!

Average customer rating:

Great for Fans
Unreleased: Sort of...
A solid acoustic performance

Live Acoustic at Cbgb's
Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Wea/Rhino
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dinosaur Jr.: Live in the Middle East
Beyond
Green Mind
Whatever's Cool With Me
Ear-Bleeding Country: The Best of Dinosaur Jr.

ASIN: B000EXZH5Q
Release Date: 2006-05-22

Tracks:

What Else Is New?
Thumb
Keeblin'
Not You Again
Flying Cloud
Every Mother's Son
Not The Same
Throw Down
Get Me
Quest
On The Run
Repulsion

Customer Reviews:

Great for Fans.......2006-09-25

This albums is great for Dinosaur Jr. / J Mascis fans. I prefer the sound on this disc to the Martin + Me live acoustic show. The shows are similar, but this ones works better for me.
If you are a fan of Dinosaur Jr. then you may like:
1) Low Rises by Baby Ray
2) Waterproof by Zeke Fiddler
3) Banjos And Sunshine by Sixty Acres
4) Year Of Mondays by Mike Johnson

Unreleased: Sort of..........2006-07-10

First off, it's J. Mascis and it's a fine solo show so it gets 4 stars. That said, if you already own "Martin + Me", you're essentially paying for 3 songs by buying this (Not the Same, Quest, and Throw Down; the later coming in at about 45 seconds). Even the arrangements and the vocal delivery are almost identical to "Martin + Me". Wouldn't shock me to hear they were recorded within a week of one another. Surprising that J let this one out of the vault. Must have been needing the royalties before he was able to convince Lou Barlow to go in on the Dinosaur Jr. reunion.

A solid acoustic performance.......2006-06-25

I just picked this up. I was ecstatic that my local music store actually carried this (Zulu Records in Vancouver). Anyways, 10 of the 12 tracks are previously unreleased. Fans of the loud and squealing guitar of Dinosaur Jr might be a bit put off by this album. When they say acoustic show, they mean it. There doesn't appear to be anything else to the tracks other than acoustic guitar, vocals, and maybe a touch of reverb. This is just raw J Mascis. Anyways, the sound quality is excellent and tracks are mosty good. For me, the stand out track is definately Repulsion. This works so well as a purely acoustic number. That song alone is worth the price of the CD.

All in all this a solid live album. It's definately not as easily accessible as say Nirvana Unplugged, so this album might be better suited for more hardcore Dinosaur Jr/J. Mascis fans.

Ear-Bleeding Country: The Best of Dinosaur Jr.

Average customer rating:

the sun is shining with a new intensity today...
Out There... Jr.
Got a knack for being right!
Not Bad, But Not What I Expected
Okay compilation

Ear-Bleeding Country: The Best of Dinosaur Jr.
Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Without a Sound
Live Acoustic at Cbgb's
Beyond
Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements
Whatever's Cool With Me

ASIN: B00005Q3AM
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

Repulsion
Little Fury Things
In A Jar
Freak Scene
Budge
Just Like Heaven
The Wagon
Thumb
Whatever's Cool With Me
Not You Again
Out There
Start Choppin
Get Me
Feel The Pain
I Don't Think So
Take A Run At The Sun - J. Mascis
Nothin's Goin' On
I'm Insane
Where'd You Go - J. Mascis & The Fog

Customer Reviews:

the sun is shining with a new intensity today..........2006-03-28

This just arrived in the mail and as I was playing it I realised that I hadn't heard Freak Scene for years. At that moment the sun came out and I was lurched back to my youth and sweaty nights at the Pink Toothbrush where that song was guaranteed to fill the dance floor.

Today is a good day.

4 stars not 5 as Pond Song should have been on here. Otherwise it is great.

Out There... Jr........2005-10-25

Odlicna kolekcija pesama jednog od najzanimljivijih americkih bendova nezavisne scene. Ne znam kako i zasto, ali Dinosaur Jr. su uvek bili i ostali nezasluzeno u senci Sonic Youth i Nirvana.
Ovo je kompilacija koja ce vas vratiti u vreme kada je nezavisna scena i tekako bila uticajna, a pesme poput Little Fury Things, Just Like Heaven, Whatever's Cool With Me, Out There... potsetiti na neka bezbednija vremena.

Got a knack for being right!.......2005-09-26

From there inception as a post hardcore sonic terrors until the end as grunge survivors, 'Ear Bleeding Country' Dinosaur Jr's best of covers a great deal of territory. Full of great tracks, some classic some merely good, the one thing you should take away from listening to this collection is that J Mascis, boy could he play guitar. A generation of who were brought up on grunge owe that guitar sound to J, one of the few originals of the last 25 years.

What this fails to do however is give a good overview of the band. The early tense savagery of the more punk albums especially isn't really on show on this collection, and is rather under represented. However its still great fun, often thunderous, and almost reveling in a slacker ethic. Though I'm sure every fan would have come up with a different best of 19 songs, this is still as decent a starting place you'll find for the band, after which if you're interested you should get 'You're Living All Over Me' then 'Bug' then 'Greenmind' and 'Whatevers Cool With Me', followed by the rest at random. Of interest long time fans still is the pretty flower of a 'Take A Run At The Sun' which J did for a movie soundtrack, and is probably the best example of his softer sider you'll ever find.

The other high lights, the first seven songs, 'Whatevers Cool With Me', 'Start Choppin', 'Feel The Pain' and 'I'm Insane'. Really just enjoy and then hopefully you'll discover the rest of what the band has to offer.

Not Bad, But Not What I Expected.......2004-07-24

Okay, this is a review from someone who's not familiar at all with DJ's catalogue. I picked this up because I had remembered borrowing the Where You Been album from a friend and absolutely loving it. So I came to this expecting more of the same but unfortunately came away a little disappointed. The earlier stuff isn't really to my taste and I actually found it a little boring. From track 11 (the start of the three Where You Been tracks) onwards, things started to pick up and it was a bit more interesting. Overall though, if you're not a fan, I would recommend buying Where You Been instead. That's what I should have done in the first place!

Okay compilation.......2004-06-27

This could've been a better Best of CD if it were a two disc complete with live tracks and more tracks from the albums. But we do get the hard to find tracks Take a Run at the Sun, Just like Heaven and Whatever's cool With me. But most of the tracks from the eariler albums like Dinosaur, You're living all over Me and Bug are gone. From Dinosaur we only get Repulsion which is a pretty good song, but why not include Bulbs of Passion? J Mascis himself said it's one of the songs that really made them what they were even before they became Dinosaur jr. On YLAOM the tracks Lose, the Lung and Show me the Way are skipped over. Lose is probably Lou Barlow's best contribution to the band, the Lung is just great and Show me the Way is amazing for a cover song. We do get the awesome In a Jar and Little Fury things though. From Bug the tracks They Always Come, Pond Song and Let it Ride are missed out on.

Actually come to think of it only two tracks from each album are featured on this compilation. And they're usually the more popular songs like Feel the Pain (Without a Sound) and I'm Insane (Hand it over). Not to say they're bad songs, it's that the Dino jr veterans would like to see the less accessible tracks from the OOP albums on here.

With that being said pick this up if you're a newcomer to Dinosaur Jr or J Mascis's work. But if you've grown to Dinosaur Jr like I have then skip it and seek out the other albums.

Tracks:

Out There
Start Choppin
What Else Is New
On The Way
Not The Same
Get Me
Drawerings
Hide
Goin Home
I Ain't Sayin

Amazon.com

With Paul Westerberg's croon and the slacker guitar of a Neil Young, J Mascis is forever assured of critical huzzahs. "Out There" and "Not the Same" are loud, lazy rock & roll, American-style. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

My favorite Dino Jr. album.......2007-01-27

I recently got into this band and I have to say, out of all the releases, this one is my favorite. There's not a bad song on here and the album packs energy from start to finish.

If you were to get one Dino Jr. album, you can't go wrong with "Where You Been".

Top five guitarist of all time!.......2004-07-04

I just got done listening to "Get Me" and was compelled to write this review. I've owned this disk for a long time, but it rarely gets a spin. I guess I've heard it so many times and there is so much good music out there to discover that I don't have the time to listen to it much. Anyway, I write this review because after listening to "Get Me" once again I am reminded of how talented a guitarist J. Mascis is. I put him up there with Jerry Garcia, Trey Anastasio, Jimmy Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He's that good. Overall, this disk is not only a series of good songs, but of extraordinary guitar work. Some people may be put off by the poor vocals, but still this disk is better than 95% of the music released in the 1990s.

Found, but never lost.......2004-05-13

To start off with, I must say that I am not one to blurt out grandiose declarative statements about the greatness of something. I will have to make an exception in the case of D.J.'s Where You Been. I first discovered Dinosaur Jr. back when this album first came out. I heard them on the radio and was mightily impressed. I really hadn't heard anybody quite like them before. At this time, I was very much interested in the grunge movement, particularly Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. I also found I had a strong interest in the Pixies, and a mild interest in Sonic Youth, both of whom hailed from the same Mass. area as DJ. While I still enjoy all of these groups for myriad of reasons, the one group I never tired of was Dinosaur Jr. and in particular this album. I actually started out loving "I ain't saying", but when I bought the cd I lost interest in it. I really dug "Start Choppin'" for its simple bubbly rhythm. For me, "Get Me" is a real gem with its astounding guitar solos and mutterings of J. Most of the other tracks are very good. Easy to listen all through. The thing about DJ that I have always found comforting is that vocally it invokes a sort of "throw my hands in the air" apathy that has carried me through some pretty tough times over the years. Besides, I could actually sing along and very often it would be of a quality near par to J's(lol).
The music is enough to make even the most dedicated lyricists overlook the scratchy, oft-out of key vocals and generally incomprehensible words. I would argue that the lyrics and vocals are part and parsal to the overall DJ experience, though.

I have purchased this album twice, and am getting ready to buy another copy of it. After hearing this album, I started checking out DJ's other albums. They were hard to find where I lived at the time, but it became a bit of an obsession to find them. I think GreenMind is a very solid album, maybe even my second favorite and I very much enjoy the EP-Whatever's Cool With Me. The live version of the GreenMind classic "Thumb" is superb and well-worth the cost of the cd. I am not a huge fan of DJ's early stuff, though I own all of it and listen to it on occasion. Fossils is a fun album though.

The album following Where You Been, Without a Sound, was initially disappointing to me. I was rather possessive of "my" band and when they started to gain a little attention, I resented the "johnny come lately's" even though I suppose I was one too, as I look back. I didn't give the cd a chance, but as I have listened to it since, I have gained a healthy respect for it. Their last original cd, which I can't remember the name of is also a solid effort.

All in all, I must say that Where You Been was one of the first cd's that I could listen to not stop all the way through. I would recommend this to anyone who is nostalgic for the bygone 90's or just those interested in some obscure guitar-driven rock that is fresh and still holds up 10+ years after it was released. When you look at the poor state of rock these days, DJ really shines, especially to those of you who haven't heard much of their music.

Solid Alt Rock From DJ.......2004-04-21

While Green Mind saw J. Mascis steering Dinosaur Jr's sound to a more diverse and enhanced destination, Where You Been is that destination. The album starts out strong with "Out There," a great rocker, simmering with screaming guitars and woeful vocals. "Start Choppin" was a hit off the album, with a video in steady rotation on MTV. It starts off with a light, catchy riff that suddenly explodes into a wall of distorted guitar strumming, with J singing: "I ain't tellin' you a secret / I ain't tellin' you goodbye." The song continues to build on the initial catchy guitar line and would fit easily on Green Mind.

Dinosaur Jr. has always excelled at somehow marrying metal/punk with country twang and melody, and that is never more evident than on Where You Been. "What Else is New?" demonstrates this perfectly, where J. even kind of does a bit of a yodel-type singing along with a very folky guitar line that suddenly blisters into mad Hendrix solos and then ends with strings, and timpani drums. "On the Way" is a fast-paced track that could be a leftover from Bug, and proves that J & Co. are still proficient rockers. "Not the Same" holds the surprise of the album, with more timpani drums, flutes and stark vocals sung in falsetto. Not my favorite DJ song, but interesting and is effective if I'm in the right mood.

For me, the album is topped with "Get Me," an amazing song that starts off with slight strumming, then building into a giant riff that climaxes with more solos that say more than all the words on any DJ album. This is a song that, like Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," can be heard a thousand times and not get tiresome. "Drawerings" falters a bit with a riff that even sounds like the one in "Get Me" but without the same feeling (though I still do like the solos on this one). "Hide" is another fast rocker but doesn't have the catchy chorus of "On the Way." "Goin Home" is one of my favorites - with a great keyboard line and twangy guitars, the song shows the musical breadth of DJ. The album ends with "I Ain't Sayin," which could sum up Mascis' entire lyrical catalog, cause he really ain't sayin much except "I'm rollin' home to you." This album deserves a place in your home if you consider yourself a DJ fan.

Essential alt-country-grunge-punk........2004-04-04

It's hard to say which album is the best of theirs, but I'd go with this or "Green Mind". Neither are as rough as the early albums, or as smooth as the late ones, but just solid rockin' "DJ". The popular songs were "Out There" and "Start choppin'", but I also like "Get Me" and the excellent "Goin' Home". That's probably one of my favorite "DJ" songs ever. As with every album, they're not all winners, but front to back this is one of the best. Newcomers might just want the "Ear Bleeding Country" collection. It's sweet too.

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