Dinosaur Jr.

... the intense lack of MOGging lately should be indication of how much of a living hell work's been lately. My past two and a half weeks or so have been spent grinding out an online curriculum training set-up for the PeaceJam Foundation. Our webhost was kind enough to put together a pretty simple template for me to work with, which helped a lot. Still, many very early/very late hours were spent, mixed in with a few borderline breakdowns and a lot of muttered cursewords - ... MORE

Emscee articulately laments the state of the music industry and its apparent inability to even properly remake a junky pop song. Not that I would gainsay him anyway, given his considerable wisdom and the fact that he has been a first-hand witness to the events he describes, but I do think he's right, as far as he goes. And Cosmo goes on to extend the criticism to media in general, and I think there's something in what he's saying (though I think Richardson and Biden have... MORE

The original lineup of Dinosaur Jr. has reunited two decades after the trio fell apart, according to the band's website. Dinosaur Jr. has been hailed as one of post-punk's most influential bands. The reunion will be a nationwide tour. The group is promoting their first album in 20 years, Beyond (Fat Possum) which was released in May, debuting at #69 on the Billboard 200. It's the first album by the original "classic" lineup(J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph) since 1988's ... MORE

Alright, I'm leaving for Australia for two weeks, and I wanted to squeeze out one post before I leave. Anyways, I was having and argument with my friend Kaleigh (who is now a mogger now, by the way) about who is the best guitar player of the last 30 years. My vote was for J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr: She argued for Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead: Who do you think? Or do you have a different idea entirely?

As published in today's Maroon: Back in 1987, lead guitar was a touchy subject in the American underground. Previously, most skilled punk guitarists played well in spite of their bands’ overall attitude. J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. played well because of it. After hardcore had exhausted the loud/fast mantra, Mascis infused Neil Young–style hard rock into the D.I.Y. aesthetic. While punks should have hated this, it was hard for your jaw not to drop when Mascis picked up a gu... MORE

New Dinosaur Jr. album Beyond. Wow. "Pick Me Up" especially, which almost sounds like a confession, the final admission that J.'s guitar should be listed as "vocalist" in the liner notes. What is essentially a three-minute solo two minutes in trumps 70% of the music releases since this original lineup produced an album together (read: a gazillion years). I should mention the beginning of Harp's spring review on this new Dino Jr. album, which began: "Dinosaur Jr. is ... MORE

I just gotta say, this album smokes. I for one am stoked that the reviews are largely positive. Pitchfork's write-up is started below. Follow the jump for the rest. It's worth it. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond [Fat Possum; 2007] 8.4/10.0 http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/42374-beyond A straight shot west out of Boston on I-90 will carry you, in two hours or less, to Western Massachusetts, where the country still looks like it did twenty or even forty ... MORE

There's a new album from Dinosaur Jr. out first of May, with the original line-up of J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph (no idea about the rest of his name, do you?). It's called Beyond, it's on Fat Possum, and it's really, really good...though not very surprising if you're any kind of Dinosaur Jr. fan. Here's a bit from my Dusted review which went up yesterday: What a blast from the past! It only takes a half second of guitar squall at the very onset of "Almost Ready" t... MORE

Sonic Youth singer/guitarist Thurston Moore has a prominent cameo at the beginning of the new Dinosaur Jr. video for "Been There All The Time," a song off the group's new album, Beyond, which will be released on May 1. You can see the video online right now at mtv.com: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1059&vid=143042

Equally as impressive live, yet much louder. If you have the chance, see the original line up.

Free Yr Radio announces a series of concerts that they have organized with different bands in different cities. the shows are free but intend to raise awareness and funding for local independent, non-commercial radio stations! each show will have a sweepstakes to win a Yaris car customized by one of the bands. it's like a corporate-sponsored Pimp My Ride that benefits local indie radio stations! the Klaxons kick off the tour with a free show in Chicago this Sunday nig... MORE

Got an advance of the soon to be released Reunion album from Dinosaur Jr. All I can say, is WOW! Read my blog for more.

I guess I have an affinity for songs with the word "freak" in them. Here's one from the crates. I've always loved the way J Mascis solos, sloppy yet structured (that makes no sense :) ). Every time I hear this song it reminds me of skateboarding on a sunny day. Long live Natas Kapas!