Bug

This is one of those times when my rating is probably going to be more generous than is warranted. J Mascis sometimes seems to have trouble carrying a tune, unless that's an affectation. Who knows? The hit of the album, Freak Scene, is so simple, there is almost nothing to it. But honestly, this album hits my critical blind spot. I enjoy the casual nature of Mascis' vocals--it doesn't sound like he's trying to convince you of anything--he's just sharing his thoughts. And I find his blend of noise, rock, and pop appealing. The music on Bug rocks, it has plenty of texture, and it has a warmth that is missing from a band like Sonic Youth. And a funny thing--Mascis also makes me appreciate Neil Young a little more. Mascis has taken Young's blundering experiments with guitar noise and refined them almost beyond recognition. Like Young, Mascis doesn't have a lot of technical ability, but unlike Young, he's very talented at coaxing out a wide palette of sounds from his guitar. It's also pretty clear that Mascis also served as inspiration (along with Young) for Built To Spill's Doug Marsch, another wonderful guitarist. Guys like Mascis and Doug Marsch make the pioneering nature of Neil Young's experiments with noise obvious, even if they kind of sucked (sorry, Brian). In that way, Young's a little like Lou Reed, in that he's inspired a ton of wonderful music. But I'm getting sidetracked. I'm 90% through Bug and beneath all the noise, it turns out that the songwriting is actually pretty sturdy. I've also got to put in a good word for the band, which matches the ferocity of Mascis' guitar work. How to rate? Well, occasionally, the noise elements are overwhelming, but overall, Bug is surprisingly strong and consistent.

They sound like a bad high school band. I like “sloppy” punk rock - but only when it’s intentional. This seems like just poor execution of mediocre songs.

In the genre list on Wikipedia, it lists noise rock. And that it is. Just noise. This album sounds like the singer is crying over loud and annoying instrumentals.

The album was not that good and progressively got worse.

calm down sir

Noise rock and out of key vocals. Dissonance isn't my thing, I guess. Less rock, more cringe for me.

There's something just not right about late 80s alternative rock that doesn't come from Seattle. It's like while Nirvana and Mudhoney were based on punk, and Soundgarden/AIC metal, bands like this were rooted in whiny, jangly, shoegazey, cynical "nothing fucking matters anyway" garage nerd rock. It has its moments where it almost rocks, but still has that distinctly "not Seattle indie" vibe. I think the core problem is it hates itself, but can't channel it well. It's like a depressed kid's assignment. 2/5.

Consistently sloppy with a particularly abrasive end.

Seen enough to eye you But I've seen to much to try you It's always weirdness while you Dig it much too much to fry you The weirdness flows between us Anyone can tell to see us Freak scene just can't believe us Why can't it just be cool and free us? Seen enough to eye you But I've seen to much to try you It's always weirdness while you Dig it much too much to fry you The weirdness flows between us Anyone can tell to see us Freak scene just can't believe us Why can't it just be cool and leave us? It's so fucked I can't believe it If there's a way I wish we'd see it How could it work just can't conceive it Oh what a mess it's just to leave it Sometimes I don't thrill you Sometimes I think I'll kill you Just don't let me fuck up will you 'cause when I need a friend it's still you What a mess

"Bug" is the third studio album by Massachusetts alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. Alternative rock, indie rock and indie rock are the named genres. It was the last album with bassist Lou Barlow until he came back to the band in 2007. Besides Barlow, other members of Dinosaur Jr. include lead singer/guitarist J Mascus and drummer Murph. The album received critical acclaim including a most interesting 8.9999999 rating out of 10 by NME. A melodic guitar and then bam! The bass and guitar kick in and they're soaring with "Freak Scene." The song ebbs and flows with soft and loud dynamics. Two monster guitar solos by Mascis harkening Neil Young meets Sonic Youth meets Bob Mould. You do hear a lot of monster solos throughout this album. Mascis' vocals define "slacker" rock. I think this is simply about two friends who don't want a romantic relationship since it will ruin their current friendship. "No Bones" features some real melodic bass by Barlow. This is slower but again speeds up in spots. Distorted guitar. "They Always Come" brings the punk. This fast and hard. Some more fantastic bass and drumming along with Mascis' distorted and feedback-riddled guitar. "Let It Ride" continues the fast and hard. You got to like the intensity these guys bring. And we get a bass solo along with a few guitar ones. They slow it up a bit on "Pond Song" and add an acoustic and layered guitars. Great drumming. The album ends with a wah-wah guitar going into "Don't." Barlow just screaming likes he's dying "Why Don't You Like Me" for five minutes. This song would not have been out of place on Hüsker Dü's "Zen Arcade." This was a big album for me when it came out. I used to just play the hard/fast songs which seemed to alternate throughout the album. I guess I've mellowed since I found a lot to like in the"so-called" slower songs. I don't know what I was listening to at the time to think those "other'" songs soft? Mascis guitar is just fantastic with his distortion, feedback and multiple solos within each song. One of the other things I realized on this listen was how good the bass and drumming is. This is a band. They need to be to keep up with Mascis. This album and music is connected to the prior music of Neil Young, Hüsker Dü, and Sonic Youth to what the future music would be in shoegaze and grunge. Yes, I like this album and so should you!

Dinosaur Jr. were buddies with all my favourite bands growing up (Sonic Youth wrote ‘Teenage Riot’ about J Mascis) but I was never really a big fan of J Mascis’s voice back in the day. I found it a bit too whiny for my tastes. However, I stumbled across one of his solo albums about five years ago and it became my surprise album of the year. I’d not gone back to the Dinosaur stuff until now though. I enjoyed this album far more listening back to it with a bit of distance and also feeling like I can appreciate his voice a bit more after listening to his solo stuff. More variation than I’d remembered too. On a slightly related note, I used to play bass (badly) in a band a few years back and we would end each gig with a different cover. By chance, the last song at the last gig we ever played was ‘Freakscene’ by Dinosaur Jr. so, as fate would have it, it’s a song from this album that will ring forever in the ears of the tiny handful of friends and relatives who were present. For that reason, I’m bumping this up from a three and a half to a four.

didn't enjoy this, it just sounded like noise to me

9. Bug - Dinosaur Jr. 10 tracks. Not to my tastes at all. If you like a poor quality Foo Fighters meeting a tone-deaf Nirvana on a bad day with some background White Noise then this is definitely for you. Track 9 is called \"Don't\" which I assume stands for Don't listen 1/5.

freak scene go hard

I might need to reevaluate some things… I always preferred I’m Living All Over You to Bug, but listening today, I’m not so sure I feel that way any more. Sure, “I’m All Over You” is bombastic; a sonic kick in the teeth, if you will. There’s something about “Bug” today, though: it’s a little more cleanly produced and the production is layered, more in depth. It feels a little more in line with where Dinosaur Jr. would go in the following years. Fuck it, I’ll just give them both 5 stars.

The peak of the mountain of "smoking weed out of an apple" music. I don't think there will ever be another record label as cool as early-mid 80s SST.

Bug is not Dinosaur Jr.'s best, but it has all the hallmarks of the band that would influence 90s alternative and grunge. The overdriven guitars, driving drums, and forceful vocal delivery are all present, along with J Mascis's emphasis on the guitar solo. It's probably closer to a three, but due to the influence of this band and bridging classic and alternative rock, I think a four is in order.

Loved it. Really raw and melancholic, at times angry, but always with a fun uplifting edge. So glad I've discovered this

This album was fucking good. I need to listen to more Dinosaur Jr.

Well. How the hell were they supposed to follow up You're Living All Over Us? This isnt as good, but its damn close to a 5.

Yeah, that's some noise alright.

Not a good album, and not a good representation of dinosaur jr or the genre. Begs the question - Who the fuck is making this list? 1/5

Please. We've been through this. Dino Jr AGAIN?

Eh. Everyone is just annoyed at everything. "Freak Scene" is good. "Pond Song", "Budge" is decent. Mostly noise.

This is a strong album from Dinosaur Jr. displaying everything that makes their sound unique: the noisy guitars in which you can drown, that come in contrast with nonchalant vocals from J Mascis and his insane solos. These guys seems to be totally laid back but they're actually technically quite good, but with no show off, they're just doing it casually. More than 35 years later, it does not sound out-dated.

I love this band. This is one of there best albums too, more straightforward rock than the previous albums but still a lotta noise. So happy to see it on the list.

Fantastic album! Nobody plays guitar like J Mascis. I love a record that can have a melodic indie pop-like tune like Freak Scene and an equally great angry-emo screamer like Don’t.

Dinosaur Jr.'s album Bug, the last featuring original bassist Lou Barlow (until his reunion with J in the 00s) is a captivating journey into alternative rock. Freak Scene emerges as a masterpiece, setting the stage for the iconic guitar solos that define this record. The band's chemistry is evident, and it's intriguing to learn that Lou thinks they were still figuring things out during the recording. If this is them in the process, it's exciting to imagine what they'll create once fully figured out. J Mascis's guitar work is iconic, adding emotional layers to the album. Bug captures a band pushing boundaries and experimenting with their sound, creating a dynamic musical landscape. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 7 STAND OUT TRACK - Freak Scene

Five stars all the way. It's unfair, I guess, because it's an album I've listened to at least five million times and I love every part of. I remember buying this when I was visiting family in Leeds and they had a Virgin Megastore. It's pretty much calibrated for one side of me. Loud but fragile, often feeling ready to fall apart. It's beautiful. I still skip that last song though!

Would be nice if the list contains a few more Dinosaur Jr albums, but otherwise this is an excellent choice. One of the best Dinosaur Jr albums: perfect songwriting (Let It Ride, Budge, etc) + perfect guitar playing + perfect sound = 5 *****.

i read the previous reviews and lol at how people don't get dinosaur jr

Every review of this complaining about how noisy sloppy and out of tune it is - yeah it is, and that's why it's good. Stop being such nerds.

Had this one on cassette back when it was new. Freak Scene is one of the best songs of the 80s. The rest of this is good too. I've always had a soft spot for Don't.

good ol' j. mascis. i hadn't realized lou barlow and he started out together - neet!

Bug Looking back I seem to have quite enjoyed You’re Living All Over Me, and I feel similarly about this. J Mascis is not the strongest vocalist, but he has a laid back, slackery charm to his vocals that suit the songs and overall vibe. He also does interesting stuff on the guitar, and despite the noise there are plenty of nuanced variations and touches which pull this out of the morass of US noise/alt rock, like the wah on Yeah We Know, the spacey slide guitar on Let it Ride and the acoustic on Pond Song There are some good songs, Freak Scene is great, you can see why it’s their most famous song, No Bones has a nice bit of swing to it, They Always Come is nicely plaintive, Budge has a nice chorus and Let it Ride. The less said about Don’t the better though. Overall it’s a decent noisy guitar album, with some good songs, good drums and some great guitar moments. I’d happily give it a listen again if in the right mood, a solid 3. 🪲🪲🪲 Playlist submission: Freak Scene

Really nice riffy noise rock, what I wish Husker Du was.

Like the last Dinosaur Jr. album the list threw up, I find the overall style/sound agreeable, but it doesn't seem particularly memorable. If it came out 10 years later it certainly wouldn't warrant inclusion on the list, but was it remarkable in 1988? I don't know, though given it's not dissimilar to their 1987 album, probably not. Still, it's a decent album with a nice drawing of a bug on the front. I'll live and let live.

Well that was an unremarkable but acceptable 2 until the final song. Dinosaur Sr I think you should give this kid a hug.

I'd give this 4.5 stars, as I think it is just a formative album, both for Dinosaur Jr. and so many genres from metal to grunge to "indie" to punk to emo and probably more. The guitar sounds are wonderfully captured and so raw but still controlled with great songwriting. And there are genuine hooks like with Freak Scene that are great, too.

Noise rock. Ja, zo zou je Dinosaur Jr prima kunnen omschrijven. Ik heb ze ooit een keer in Paradiso live gezien en sindsdien hoor ik bepaalde toonhoogtes minder goed gok ik. Man, wat stond dat hard. Voordeel is wel dat je dan minder goed hoort dat J Mascis niet kan zingen. Verder is het een heerlijke bak gitaren, waar weer veel meer melodie in zit dan je op eerste gehoor kan ontwaren. Misschien is het net als whisky: het zet eerst je bek in lichterlaaie van de alcohol, maar als je daar doorheen bent, kun je (naar het schijnt) de subtiliteiten in de smaak ontwaren. Luister bij deze muziek door de muur van geluid heen en de gitaarriffs klinken als zuivere melodielijnen, de drums zijn fantastisch en zelfs J Mascis zingt zoetgevooisd. Kortom, ik word hier blij van en zal zo te zien wat moeten compenseren, want er is al een zure broeder me voor geweest. Het scheelt weer, want ik heb nog heel veel bonuspunten over na al die verschrikkelijke hiphop van vorige week.

Love this album. One of my favourite bands.

Dinosaur Jr is one of those 80s/90s indie bands i just never spent a lot of time with. Seen them live once and have always liked them. Anyway, this is good but not great album. I'm sure I'll revisit it though. 3.5/5 Album 66/1001

You're all wrong. This is an early masterpiece of a band finding their chops. The sound is exciting, those noisy Mascis solos keep me coming back for more. His imperfect voice is captivating. This is messy, moshy, head nodding, poppy, swaying, thrashing, sweaty, angsty music. I fucking love it. Five stars.

Maybe the best record they ever produced. No bad track here.

Lowkey

Dinosaur Jr. are so freaking good and this is one of their best. I love their mix of noise and melody. No one else really does it as well as them.

Noisy as fuck. Love it.

I do like you

I love dinosaurs

Love it. Biggest regret is only having You're Living All Over Me scored at 4/5 here instead of 5/5, it's become one of my favorite albums. 4.5/5

Not their best, but even not their best is amazing and a solid example of why Dinosaur Jr is one of my favorite bands and J Mascis is one of my guitar idols. Glad this was included on this list. Hope more DJR is.

If the Nirvana available isn't enough Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr.

The sound is so good I don't even care about the voice. Amazing sound, such diversity of song writing, genius.

Another Dinosaur Jr album, another 5 stars. Freak Scene is just brilliant.

Really nice noisy album for waiting for my parents to arrive

I've listened to Where You Been before and I liked it enough so going into this album I was expecting to give it a 3 or 4. But I don't know, I guess this was what I needed to listen to today, because I really enjoyed it. It is a lot more noisy than I expected (and I love noise rock). I also think that J Mascis' voice suits this album very well, and it provides a very interesting texture and emotion. The songs are pretty simple, but I think that it works in it's advantage. I absolutely understand why people don't like this album, but I think it is very good.

Amazing album!

Know it, love it. Like a more tender and vulnerable sounding Sonic Youth in a way. Just a warm and lovely listen IMHO.

Never really listened to Dinosaur Jr. but this is an excellent rock album.

One of my favorite albums of all time. So happy to see it on the list. Great rock album

Love this album and the contrasts from songs like Freak Scene and Don’t

Perfection.

Noisy indie rock. I'd never gone deep on Dinosaur Jr. I really liked this album.

I really like Dinosaur Jr. and this is one of their best albums. Really good stuff and I was glad to listen to it again!

9/10. I liked this a lot better than the other Dino Jr album we've had

Heck yeah. Dinosaur Jr is great. I saw them at a Lollapalooza in '93 and again in '17 with my son. They've been a favourite for a long time. For me this album is about 4th or 5th best of theirs. But I really like most of their albums. I really like J's solo stuff too.

I really dug this, cracking alt rock album. I know it's 80s but it has that early 90s proto-grunge feel to it. Great stuff

This one was GREAT!!! Added.

Between pavement and Nirvana, between lo-fi Blur and At the drive in. Great, tricky to see where it could be improved. Slightly odd to read that the band didn't really like it

Duh. No brainer

More familiar with the later, Where You Been, which was a seminal CD for me in which I can remember when I first heard it, with who and the apartment we lived in at the time. Great music can take you back that way and keep it preserved there for eternity. Not sure that I had ever heard this one in its entirety but it is wonderful in the same way. I’ve always thought sometimes too much Dinosaur Jr. all at once is more than most people can handle. I’m sure in my consecutive plays if Where You Been, I could shut it down after two songs. DJr. can pack a lot into two songs.

- Sick garage rock sound - Sounds very modern for an 80s record - Immaculate vibes - 4.5- rounded up yolo - Favorite songs: Budge, No Bones, Pond Song

So happy to see my favorite Dino Jr. album popping up here… just them this and album and them as a whole.

9/10 I’m a fan of indie and hard rock this was a nice fun album almost sounded like a pre-90s grunge

Još jedan album bez kojeg je nemoguće zamislit devedesete. Skoro bolji od youre living all over me

I am a big fan of this band throughout the many stages of their long career. This is something interesting for anyone who likes rock.

the best!

Really cool sounds. First track had me a little bit scared it was going to be violent femmes style nonchalant indie singing, but the guitars already reassured me. I'm guessing this is argued as the start of emo by some people? Love just about all of the guitar sounds. They are so bright and yet all of the potential jangle is caught up in fuzz and screaming overtones. I will look up their guitar setups.

Decent album. Would listen to again

17/1001 Dinosaur Jr - Bug Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ Dinosaur Jr really work for me as a band, from the distorted guitar sound to the play with the soft and loud nature of the compositions. Also the monster guitar solos in a couple of tracks here. It took me a while when I first heard Dinosaur Jr to get used to Mascis's vocals, but when the penny dropped, everything just clicked. Hard to ignore just how influential this was for the alternative/grunge scene at the time.

OK

4/5

New one on me but love the grunge vibe

J Mascis is a helluva guitar player (even if he wears orthopedic shoes these days).

This was a fun college rock lp. Just long enough. The mixing is what it is, but it adds to the vibe. Loved it.

I guess this week for me is the week of not great vocalists. This sounds like something from a local band in high school, and I loved that nostalgia feeling.

I like the noise palette. Active tempo throughout. A bit of attitude. Really like this.

Freak Scene!!!!

Sweaty milan times

Never heard this before, really liked it

I really like music like this!

Listened to it twice. At times, I thought it would be a 4. Something missing. Could be vocals. Could be that Don’t is really terrible.

This was the only Dinosaur Jr album I ever owned, bought because someone mentioned they were a bit like the Pixies. I really only ever played the first track, Freak Scene, then flipped it to listen to Don't. The rest of the album was okay, but only got played rarely. Having not listened to this album in over 30 years, it's pretty much as I remembered, two great songs and a sack full of meh. The guitarist sounds like the Bevis Frond, which is kind of cool, so I'm giving it four stars.

🧥

I first heard Dinosaur Jr last year opening for The Flaming Lips and Weezer. I was all the way in the back most row. They did not sound very good. Fortunately this album was more pleasant than that experience. Really similar to that 90s Flaming Lips sound of grungey, slightly off kilter vocals, noise rock that I really enjoy. Good stuff, glad they redeemed themselves.

These boys must have been mad as hell when the grunge stuff took off a couple years later. Goes a little harder than living I think.

Not enough time for notes, but I love this garage, noise rock.

we got some real hardcore alt rock here today from dinosaur jr again. it's very noisy and emotionally jagged throughout; even with the fuzz however there's a lot of beauty in between it. it has a very similar sound to the last one i've listened to. more of that sludgy awesomeness, really. if it ain't broke, you can't really fix it, right? it's a captivating little mess, and that's why i always at least appreciate listening to these guys all the way through, emotive poetry poking through the grime.

I’m glad I took my time with this one because it’s definitely one that takes a couple listens. Don’t is a crazy way to end the album. Very much reminded me of Pavement and in parts like The Flaming Lips. Favorite songs were Freak Scene, Yeah We Know, Let It Ride, and Budge.

Overall: 8/10 My friends and I will listen to Dinosaur Jr. and see who can do the best J. Mascis impression. It's a lot of fun and has led to some serious laughing fits. This is such a great album. I can understand people not enjoying it due to the vocals and excessively distorted guitars, but the songwriting here is awesome. The songs are catchy (almost pop rock in places) and the lyrics are raw and real. I prefer some of their albums more but this is a solid addition to a list that is hit or miss. Fav Song: Yeah We Know Least Fav Song: The Post