DINOSAUR JR.

Al sinds de jaren tachtig weet Dinosaur Jr rumoer te schoppen met hun Alternatieve Indierock. De 3-koppige band werd veel vergelijken met bands als The Pixies waar wisten al snel hun eigen sound te vinden. Sinds hun rentree in de muziekindustrie in 2005 leek het echte ruwe randje er wel af te zijn en dat lijkt nog altijd het geval. Daar komt een dan wel een meer beheerste sound voor in de plaats, eentje die ze met elk album beter in de vingers krijgen. Op deze plaat weet J Mascis weer te verassen met scheurende solo’s, pakkende riffs, gevoelige vocalen en sterke songwriting waarbij de rest van de band moet bijbenen en dat verassend knap weet te doen. Na 12 platen stelt Dinosaur Jr. nog altijd niet teleur. There Near voelt dan ook als een organische stap voorruit. Meer beheerst, ingetogen en introspectief dan ooit, maar nog altijd de perfecte muziek om je ogen te sluiten en verdwaald te raken in een bos van explosieve- en vlijmscherpe gitaren. (Ruben de Melker)


Finally! The sixth studio album Dinosaur Jr. have recorded in the 20 years since their triumphal rebirth. Created in short, intense bursts over the course of a year at Amherst's Bisquiteen Studio, There Near was recorded almost entirely by Dino's core trio -- king of the thunder tubs, Murph, human tornado Lou Barlow on bass/vocals and the inimitable J Mascis on guitar/vocals -- with a bit of piano and organ work by local master musician, Ken Mauri. And the album roars from start to finish.

Trying to define the essence of Dino's sound is never easy. It's an instantly recognisable blend of loose vocals, sharp guitars and an animalistic rhythm section, but these parts combine into a whole far more magical and exciting than its components.

J's guitar tone throughout There Near is even more animalistic than usual, perhaps owing partly to the fact he's playing through a recently acquired 70's Mesa Boogie MK 1 amp. “I bought the same amp that Chris Dixon had when we made our first album,” J says. “Chris recorded us at his house with his amp. It has a real interesting sound I haven't gotten for a while. And it's something I was trying to get back to on this album.”

Asked about the philosophical opacity of his lyrical approach, J says. “I'm not always sure what a song is 'about' when I'm writing it. I guess the meaning will present itself at some point. I'll use whatever words work. And a lot of it will be influenced by whatever esoteric mumbo jumbo I'm reading at the time. I try not to think too hard about any of it. Someone suggested this album sounds more upbeat, but I guess that's to do with my delivery, because lyrics like 'No Friends' might make you think otherwise. But I usually write in the third person. It's all just make-believe.”

While it's true There Near does present a slightly softer lyrical edge on some of J's songs, even a relatively gorgeous ballad like “Put It Down” eventually explodes in a shower of fiery guitar distortions. It's just what happens. Meanwhile, the two tunes provided by Lou -- “Blowin' Up” and “No One's Ready” -- may have less frenzied musical settings, but their lyrics sound like pointed and timely attacks on our current regime. As is so often the case, Lou's melodic constructions have a friendly mien, but his lyrics cut like knives.

There Near continues Dinosaur Jr.'s string of classic albums. The new songs are sure to sound amazing with their monstrous riffs blaring from live stages amidst their historical brethren. Can't wait to catch them live, but in the meantime There Near will be a constant companion. The nearer the better.

Track List
Side A
1. Several Got Away
2. No Friends
3. Everything At Once
4. Take Me With You
5. Blowin' Up
6. Gone Off

Side B
7. Clam Along
8. Walk Me Back
9. Read The Room
10. Put It Down
11. No One's Ready