Dinosaur Jr. – Farm
Jagjaguwar (6/23/09)
Alternative / Indie rock
Over the course of the past two decades, Dinosaur Jr. have broken up twice, and they still manage to put the rock into their reunion albums. Recorded at singer/guitarist J. Mascis’ studio in Amherst, Mass., Farm has the band sounding as energized and youthful as ever. Bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph hold up the backbone like they never were gone; this being the fifth album with original lineup, and ninth overall. The scratchy vocals, scorching guitar lines and indie-rock hooks are all back, leaving fans happier than a pig on the farm.
The opener, “Pieces”, really brings the goods and picks up where classic Dinosaur Jr. left off, with raspy vocals, solos, and tight drumming. The fuzz on “I Want You to Know” is enough to melt off anyone’s face, while the sweet melancholy grooves on “Plans” will help grow your face back, and put a smile on it. And Mascis just makes his wah pedal scream on “Over It”, leaving the listener wondering how he pulls off the voodoo.
“Said the People” is a heavy minor-keyed ballad that will require an immediate second listen, while “I Don’t Wanna Go There” is reminiscent of the band’s classic Where You Been. But that’s definitely a good thing, as most of the record has the same sound.
Hearing this new collection of tunes by one of alternative and indie rock’s pioneering and underrated bands will leave many listeners equally surprised and grateful. If you like overdriven, hook-filled, no-frills music and were a fan of Dinosaur Jr. back in the day, you have to go out and get this one right away, if you haven’t already.
