| Dinosaur Jr--Farm |
| Written by Neel Patel |
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Dinosaur Jr.'s newest album, reviewed by Neel Patel Dinosaur Jr: Farm by Neel Patel Dinosaur Jr.’s 2005 reunion of the original lineup has to be one of the best things that happened for the indie rock that dominated the 80s and early 90s: loud, distorted, unpolished, and uncaring, all part of the slacker ethos that exploded into grunge later on. The excellent first album after the reunion, Beyond (2007), had the element of surprise on its side. Who honestly expected that album would be able to pin down proto-grunge of the band’s prime years so well? But here we are with Farm, and we know now it wasn’t a fluke. While Beyond carried the energy and speed of Dino’s late 80s SST years (You’re Living All Over Me, Bug), this album is said to have the heaviness that defined the early 90’s, when Dinosaur Jr. was essentially guitarist’s J. Mascis’ act. And that looks to work in Farm’s favor. It sounds much more assured than Beyond, with slower, warmer songs more likely to get stuck in one’s head. The songs’ catchiness recalls albums like Where you Been and Without a Sound. Like the reunion has allowed the band grow familiar with itself again. Opener “Pieces” works in the same vein as every other Dinosaur Jr. album: a loud, aggressive punch that makes these 40-year olds sound like they’re 20. But once the second track rolls in, any worries that the band has simply rehashed Beyond under a different cover are thrown out. “I Want You to Know” doesn’t even sound like it could have been written even two years ago. “Said the People” is the emotionally downtrodden track that we always expect from Mascis, and will definitely cause people to recall “Alone” from 1997’s Hand It Over. Mascis once again demonstrates why he is one of the best present-day guitarists, and every song, chock full of his musicianship, can attest to this. “Plans”, “Friends” and the long, lumbering “I Don’t Wanna Go There” are prime examples of the solos Mascis can lay down without ever feeling like he’s trying too hard. The sound of his whiny drawl is sure to make any fan of the band feel right at home. Drummer Murph is also in top form here, never overpowering the melody but never shying away from an opportunity to impress. Bassist Lou Barlow makes the expected two-song contribution, “Your Weather” and “Imagination Blind.” Both are faster and more aggressive than most of Mascis’s songs, and keep the album from feeling too slow. Is there any big problem to this album? It certainly doesn’t do anything particularly new or exotic, but anyone familiar with Dinosaur Jr. knows what to expect, and have probably already made up his or her mind by now about the band. For those unfamiliar, Farm is a very good start and showcases one of the band’s best works to date. 4/5 Woovies |
