Dinosaur Jr : There Near

There’s something comforting about a new Dinosaur Jr album, because no matter what point you jumped on the J Mascis train the band will always sound like Dino Jr. Sure, the early stuff was messier, noisier, and more in line with the no wave sound of early 80s NYC. But starting with ’91’s Green Mind the band found a balance between a post-punk and a noise pop aesthetic that’s remained intact for 35 years. Even with bassist Lou Barlow taking a 15 year hiatus from the band, it still just sounded like Dino Jr.

With There Near, the band’s thirteenth album there are no huge upsets or changes or stylistic shifts. There Near is Dinosaur Jr doing what they do best, and that’s writing catchy, fuzzy alternative rock music that sticks in your head long after the album stops. You find yourself humming these songs randomly, because that’s what the best music does.

There Near is a solidly catchy and loud record from start to finish. J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph seem to be riding that same magnificent wavelength they’ve been riding for 40 years. You never listen to a new Dino Jr album and think “Man, they should just call it quits. It’s time”, like most people should think when hearing a new Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan album. Mascis’ voice is the same, rickety, twangy bark it’s been since the early days. And his guitar playing is sloppy and beautiful, with a kind of drunk grace to it that brings to mind Neil Young, Mike Campbell, and Robert Quine in one fell riff. And what’s one of the best rhythm sections in alternative rock? Barlow and Murph, hands down.

You get the big opener “Several Got Away” that announces itself like a cherry bomb going off during Sunday Service. Big, fuzzed out melodies and yet another great J Mascis vocal melody. The bass and drums meld into a foundational shove that moves the track along. “No Friends” sits in that space that’s part metal ballad and part punk rock swift kick to the solar plexus. We also get a great Barlow track in “Blowin’ Up”, with some tasteful twang in J Mascis’ guitar parts. Barlow even closes the album out with urgent folk punk sound of “No One’s Ready”.

You get great ballads like “Walk Me Back” and “Put It Down”, while barn burners like “Clam Along”, “Everything At Once”, and “Read The Room” soar with big melodies and guitar histrionics.

There Near gives us just what we need, which is yet another collection top notch Dinosaur Jr songs. 40 years in and Dinosaur Jr continues to stay vital and relevant.