Mascis and Dinosaur Jr. Return with New Album, “Farm”
After reuniting in 2005 after an 8 year hiatus, its good to see the boys (now haggardly old men) of Dinosaur Jr. sticking to their promise of more output. Their latest album, put out on Jagjaguwar Records (who also release albums by Austinites Okkervil River and Daniel Johnston) promises a return to a heavier sound, akin to the genuinely successful album, “Where You Been”.
One could say the video seems a little stuck in the past (skateboarding and BMXing hasn’t been a music video since 2001) but these dudes tear it up with enough proficiency that it’s hardly reliving some lost youth. Perhaps this makes sense, as there is something perpetually childlike and afraid about J. Mascis; his antisocial attitude and understated voice, his slightly whiny tone. Nonetheless, Dinosaur Jr. will not disappoint fans with their new material. If anything, it may not be far enough of a departure for some. Though to a band who helped establish what the alt-rock genre sounded like in the late 80s, we shouldn’t have too much room to complain. The music is still unmistakably theirs, and Mascis’ solos still screech just as hard.
And who doesn’t love album art featuring Tolkienian Ents carrying naked prepubescent girls around? Okay, so its a little creepy, but whatever.
Video for “Over It” off of new album “Farm,” released last week.
