Oh boy, how awesome is this? After tentatively reuniting for a string of live performances back in 2005, the estranged pairing of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow have finally gone beyond the comfort zone of greatest hits shows to do the decent thing: write and record a brand new album together. No beating around the bush - this is precisely the album the Dinosaur Jr. faithful have been hoping for. From the opening chords of 'Almost Ready' memories of the excitement caused by You're Living All Over Me and Bug come flooding back. Mascis' unmistakeable lead guitar is as raw and untameable as ever, his ear for melody just as sharp. Tracks like 'Pick Me Up' and the single, 'Been There All The Time' manage to simultaneously reference the bands hardcore-infused roots and Mascis' Jerry Garcia-via-Neil Young soloing style. It's not entirely as if Barlow and Mascis have restarted where they left off 15 years ago, there's been a fair few highlights in the Dinosaur Jr back-catalogue since then, and 'We're Not Alone' recalls the impeccable pop credentials of the (sans-Barlow) Without A Sound album, whilst 'I Got Lost' is a slow jam of epic proportions recalling the more orchestrated approach of Where You Been? There are just two Barlow-penned songs here (which he also sings), the Elliott Smith-meets-Black Sabbath magnificence of 'Back To Your Heart' and the fuzz-soaked sludgecore joint, 'Lightning Bulb'. It's always a pleasure to hear new material from Lou Barlow, whether it be as a solo artist or part of Sebadoh, but having Mascis' devastating wall-of-guitars behind him makes for something utterly magical. You certainly don't have to be an old-school Dinosaur Jr. fan to appreciate how sensational an album this is. Beyond has to be one of the rock events of the year in anyone's book.
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Oh boy, how awesome is this? After tentatively reuniting for a string of live performances back in 2005, the estranged pairing of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow have finally gone beyond the comfort zone of greatest hits shows to do the decent thing: write and record a brand new album together. No beating around the bush - this is precisely the album the Dinosaur Jr. faithful have been hoping for. From the opening chords of 'Almost Ready' memories of the excitement caused by You're Living All Over Me and Bug come flooding back. Mascis' unmistakeable lead guitar is as raw and untameable as ever, his ear for melody just as sharp. Tracks like 'Pick Me Up' and the single, 'Been There All The Time' manage to simultaneously reference the bands hardcore-infused roots and Mascis' Jerry Garcia-via-Neil Young soloing style. It's not entirely as if Barlow and Mascis have restarted where they left off 15 years ago, there's been a fair few highlights in the Dinosaur Jr back-catalogue since then, and 'We're Not Alone' recalls the impeccable pop credentials of the (sans-Barlow) Without A Sound album, whilst 'I Got Lost' is a slow jam of epic proportions recalling the more orchestrated approach of Where You Been? There are just two Barlow-penned songs here (which he also sings), the Elliott Smith-meets-Black Sabbath magnificence of 'Back To Your Heart' and the fuzz-soaked sludgecore joint, 'Lightning Bulb'. It's always a pleasure to hear new material from Lou Barlow, whether it be as a solo artist or part of Sebadoh, but having Mascis' devastating wall-of-guitars behind him makes for something utterly magical. You certainly don't have to be an old-school Dinosaur Jr. fan to appreciate how sensational an album this is. Beyond has to be one of the rock events of the year in anyone's book.
Oh boy, how awesome is this? After tentatively reuniting for a string of live performances back in 2005, the estranged pairing of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow have finally gone beyond the comfort zone of greatest hits shows to do the decent thing: write and record a brand new album together. No beating around the bush - this is precisely the album the Dinosaur Jr. faithful have been hoping for. From the opening chords of 'Almost Ready' memories of the excitement caused by You're Living All Over Me and Bug come flooding back. Mascis' unmistakeable lead guitar is as raw and untameable as ever, his ear for melody just as sharp. Tracks like 'Pick Me Up' and the single, 'Been There All The Time' manage to simultaneously reference the bands hardcore-infused roots and Mascis' Jerry Garcia-via-Neil Young soloing style. It's not entirely as if Barlow and Mascis have restarted where they left off 15 years ago, there's been a fair few highlights in the Dinosaur Jr back-catalogue since then, and 'We're Not Alone' recalls the impeccable pop credentials of the (sans-Barlow) Without A Sound album, whilst 'I Got Lost' is a slow jam of epic proportions recalling the more orchestrated approach of Where You Been? There are just two Barlow-penned songs here (which he also sings), the Elliott Smith-meets-Black Sabbath magnificence of 'Back To Your Heart' and the fuzz-soaked sludgecore joint, 'Lightning Bulb'. It's always a pleasure to hear new material from Lou Barlow, whether it be as a solo artist or part of Sebadoh, but having Mascis' devastating wall-of-guitars behind him makes for something utterly magical. You certainly don't have to be an old-school Dinosaur Jr. fan to appreciate how sensational an album this is. Beyond has to be one of the rock events of the year in anyone's book.
Oh boy, how awesome is this? After tentatively reuniting for a string of live performances back in 2005, the estranged pairing of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow have finally gone beyond the comfort zone of greatest hits shows to do the decent thing: write and record a brand new album together. No beating around the bush - this is precisely the album the Dinosaur Jr. faithful have been hoping for. From the opening chords of 'Almost Ready' memories of the excitement caused by You're Living All Over Me and Bug come flooding back. Mascis' unmistakeable lead guitar is as raw and untameable as ever, his ear for melody just as sharp. Tracks like 'Pick Me Up' and the single, 'Been There All The Time' manage to simultaneously reference the bands hardcore-infused roots and Mascis' Jerry Garcia-via-Neil Young soloing style. It's not entirely as if Barlow and Mascis have restarted where they left off 15 years ago, there's been a fair few highlights in the Dinosaur Jr back-catalogue since then, and 'We're Not Alone' recalls the impeccable pop credentials of the (sans-Barlow) Without A Sound album, whilst 'I Got Lost' is a slow jam of epic proportions recalling the more orchestrated approach of Where You Been? There are just two Barlow-penned songs here (which he also sings), the Elliott Smith-meets-Black Sabbath magnificence of 'Back To Your Heart' and the fuzz-soaked sludgecore joint, 'Lightning Bulb'. It's always a pleasure to hear new material from Lou Barlow, whether it be as a solo artist or part of Sebadoh, but having Mascis' devastating wall-of-guitars behind him makes for something utterly magical. You certainly don't have to be an old-school Dinosaur Jr. fan to appreciate how sensational an album this is. Beyond has to be one of the rock events of the year in anyone's book.