Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Jesus Christ the vocals on this are awful.
i read the previous reviews and lol at how people don't get dinosaur jr
Sounds early 90s. Not sure about the last couple of tracks though; sound like they belong on a different album.
I'm a big fan of indie and alternative but, for some reason, Dinosaur Jr. just never really kept my attention. It's fine but generally pretty generic.
Straight up fuzzed out midtempo guitar rock from a group that's been doing it excellently for 40+ years. Not super remarkable, but not bad either. 3/5
Appreciate this album as a classic but not exactly my genre
Bug is the third studio album from Dinosaur Jr., and the last with the original bassist Lou Barlow, until their 2007 regrouping. The band is primarily the work of J Mascis, the singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the group. Driven by the success of "Freak Scene" - a late 80s college radio hit - Bug has become known as a "before they became famous" work from a band that helped shape alt-rock of the 90s.
I love the slacker rock, loose vibes of the whole thing. Love the vocal delivery too. 6/10
I’ve long respected J Mascis much more than I’ve enjoyed his singing. This is the first time an album of his has been enjoyable to me enough beyond the guitar work to keep me listening.
Grungy
Ok grunge
Dinosaur Sr. did it better.
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.
Just noise to me
Liked some songs, not all.
It's frenetic, but I don't like it as much as their 90s output, which is probably just an age thing on when I was introduced to them.
This was an okay album. I found the music to be noisy (in a good way) but the vocals are awful.
The Wagon autoplayed after I listened to this album and it was much better than these tracks. 2.6.
Not my favorite album by them. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
I normally have a soft spot for late 80’s/early 90’s alt rock, but I really struggled with this record. I don’t believe I’ve ever listened to Dinosaur Jr. before, and in retrospect it seems that was a wise decision on my part. I found this album just sort of generally annoying, there wasn’t any enjoyment for me, it’s like a generic and boring version of nirvana. Not a record or band I ever plan on listening to again. 1*
Very whiny and annoying. I understand now why every whiny and annoying guy-flails-on-guitar (heavier) band seems to credit Dinosaur Jr as an influence. Monotonous and unrelenting nasal bleating from the vocalist over uninteresting, fuzzed out guitars. I think this album is called “Bug” because it will bug you if you’re looking for music with any amount of thought behind it.
Garage rock. Sounds like it was recorded in a garage too. The lead vocals lead a lot to be desired as well. Otherwise sounds like early alternative stuff. Pretty boring stuff to be honest. Not sure how this one made a list of "must hear" albums...
Schiint mer chili fescht wie es Dörenand ohni wörk e Melodie oder so. Ons wtf god bi don't ab?
Has few good songs but the whole album was more an underwhelming listening experience. On to the next one, nothing hard to leave behind. (2.5/5.0)
Really did not like this album at all. Felt like a Green Day imitation that just kind of felt flat and uninspired, to say nothing of the frankly awful vocals. Maybe some interesting fleeting moments, but not much else going on that's noteworthy.
Ah, that glorious guitar sound. One of the loudest gigs I've ever seen, and J Mascis at infinity volume is a life affirming way to get tinnitus and I'm up for that. Album does drag a bit at the end but glad to have it here.
I'll give this album two stars purely on the basis of some interesting and skillful guitar work on some of the tracks. If not for that it would be one star, especially given the descent into mindless screaming on track 9.
Ok
Albummet er en forløber for alternativ rock hvor det grænser til grunge. Det er mest af alt Noise-rock ville jeg sige, synes ikke der er mange ligheder mellem det her og de klassiske grunge bands udover stemmen, frovrænget guitar og måske teksterne? udover dette er der sådan lidt en DIY lyd som minder om noget lo-fi agtigt eller indie rock. Det er også meget melodisk til tider og det kan jeg godt lide. Jeg synes ikke umiddelbart det så meget er mig, måske er det fordi det bliver lidt for noisy og larmenede. kan godt lide den der waoow wahcky whcka wauoow guitar lyd på yeah we know. Det minder mig også en smule om Sonic Youth lyden som jeg egentlig godt kan lide.
Great finding.
Freak scene started ok, but by the second song I'm wondering why the dude has to sing like this? Don't was just pure noise. 2*
Lowkey
Never really listened to much Dinosaur Jr … now realising I should have listened to more. I liked the noise 😃
4/5
No.
I'd go 3.5 if I could
Starts off like Psychedelic Furs, then moves into gritty Drive By Truckers. But almost every song is ruined by an intolerable screeching (not wailing, not jamming, not even screaming) guitar and unlistenable distortion. WTF?!
I had higher hopes since I’d heard one of their songs before, but I couldn’t get into it
The first song was going ok until the screechy guitar solo hit and I had to turn the volume way down. The guitar tone was a constant issue with the fast strumming, slow chord changes and lethargic vocals combining in a way that I really don't like. And the last two tracks legitimately gave me a headache with the loud and constant feedback noise.
Rating: 7/10 Overall very good but the noise is at times overwhelming and detracts from the album.
Culero.
Freak Scene
Нойз, фолк, гранж, поп. Тексты о наркотиках (как мне показалось). Не зацепил, но интересные звуки есть.
When it started, I was ready to give the good old 3 stars for a good job as an indie band doing a correct job with some rock songs. When I listened to "Don't," it changed my mind a bit. There is more on Dinosaur Jr. Maybe not much more, but at least something to pay attention to and search for in the future.
Þetta náði mér ekki alveg. Fannst fyrstu 3 lögin heillandi, en svo var söngurinn óþolandi. Ekkert að hljóðfæraleiknum og lætin góð.
Fílaðetta.
Ooh a very good alt rock band born out of the grunge scene. Goes hard. They have better albums but this one is very solid. Freak Scene, Pond Song, no Bones, They Always Come, Budge are my standouts.
2/5
Decent alt rock let down by terrible singing Favorites: Yeah We Know, Let It Ride Least Favorites: No Bones
It's sweet that this album is on this list. I have not listened to it in a long time, but holy hell it rocks. Had a blast listening to this a couple times today.
Just not for me. I know how beloved Dinosaur Jr. is but they just never grabbed my attention.
Well, it's an OK album, but nothing to really get excited about.
Ah Dinosaur Jr. the brainchild of J. Mascis, as one of the key pioneering forces of the 1980’s underground SST indie punk & emerging alt-rock movement. I highly recommend checking out the book “This Band Could Be Your Life” as Dinosaur Jr. are one of the bands profiled and linking the tremendous influence they had on crafting the sound more household names Pixies & Nirvana would become legendary for. This album hits all the right notes, a welcomed mix of aggressive guitar, melodic and shoegazy pop textures with Lo-fi production. If this is ‘slacker rock’ then call me a slacker McFly! 🎧 Classic Track- Freak Scene 🎧 Hidden Gem- Yeah We Know 🎧 Personal Favourite- Let it Ride 🚫 Skip Track- Don’t (Mascis screaming vocals are a bit over the top here!) It is difficult to pinpoint which Dinosaur Jr. album rises above all others, especially given they’ve had three distinct eras across their career. Bug is a worthy addition to this list nonetheless! 🖼️ Album Artwork: Perfect fit 💿 Add to vinyl collection! Click the thumbs up icon below if you enjoyed my take on the album :)
A lost chance. The guitar game was amazing, but the voice on the first tracks and the last sounds like a Nickelodeon high school band, super commercial, without being it. "Don't" is amazing by the way, it carries the album 7/10
OK.
Cut #1 is a great way to open an album - loud, noisy, and fuzzy instruments with a calm, almost disinterested vocal. The fact that they served as an influence for BUFFALO TOM gives them points, but, as much as I generally like this style of music, I just can't love this particular album. Didn't click "Like" for any of the cuts. As the album nears it's inevitable conclusion, I'm realizing that the boring quotient of each tune has exceeded that of the one before. When it opened with FREAK SCENE, I was thinking it a surprise 5-star, but, as DON'T starts up....what a bullshit song. Dragging it out to 5:41 is insulting my ears. Maybe they were influenced by GG ALLIN? ⭐ ________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 73 🎧 LPs left to review: 928 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 17 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 18 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 20
Es rarito PERO me gusta
No soy fan de rock tan pesado supongo, la canción Don’t le bajó mucho Rating:5
I didn't mind this album, till I got to "don't". It felt like a departure from the rest of the album, and a departure I didn't like one bit.
could i write poetry to this? y
I'm a big Dinosaur Jr. fan, but this is not the album of theirs that I would choose for this list. It has all the elements that make a typical Dino Jr. record, but lacks the knockout track to put it over the top. I can understand wanting to include an album with original/returning bassist Lou Barlow. Somewhat unfortunately, the biggest and most accessible hits happened without him. If I were Mr. Dimery, I would solve this problem by replacing this with either "Where You Been" or "Without a Sound" from their Barlow-less period. Then I would make it up to Lou by including "Bakesale" or "Harmacy" from his band, Sebadoh.
I like Dinosaur Jr more than Sonic Youth or Husker Du, bands I feel have a similar sound.
Sometimes, rock 'n roll is noise pollution. Favorite Track: "Freak Scene".
Album 699 of 1001 Dinosaur Jr. - Bug (1988) Rating : 2.5 / 5 I came across another album from this band that I liked a lot. Thought the vocalist had a unique voice. This album is pretty much the opposite. This is their 3rd album. They lost something somewhere. It really falls apart at the end.
Dinosaur Jr. further establish themselves in the indie scene with Bug, an impressive mash-up of pop sensibilities and harsh aesthetics, thus continuing to refine the blueprint that would serve as a beacon for plenty of bands in their wake. Favorites: Freak Scene, No Bones, They Always Come, Let It Ride, Pond Song, The Post.
The instrumentals seemed to drown out the singer a lot of the time
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.
A worth follow up to their amazing 'You're Living All Over Me'. Similarly noisy and wild, maybe just missing some of the strong songwriting, but a great listen.
Underwhelming
Förstår inte storheten i det här. Känns inte speciellt för mig. Lite rock, lite punk, lite pop. Kanske lite före sin tid? 2 av 5
Big ugly fun. Even the five-minute “Don’t”, which is J Mascis howling “whyyyy don’t you liiiike me” over and over.
the mixing...
Ironically, I took a skim through the reviews on here prior to listening and the amount of people who complained about the noise got my hopes up. In reality, with the exception of ‘Don’t’, the only real standout track for me, it remains quite pop oriented and lacks memorability. Bug isn’t offensively bland enough to be too low; however, with the exception of Don’t, not remarkable enough to be anything quite great. Would sit at a 2.5 if I was able to assign decimals.
Meh
I enjoyed some of the songs in the beginning but the end left a bad taste. Reminds me a little bit of Smashing Pumpkins and a more digestible version of Sonic Youth. High 3.
don't was so grating to listen to so so loud did not like, rest of it was whatever
4/10 - most of the songs were fine but the second to last song was all yelling and I did not enjoy it
I like dinosaur jr, they have some good songs. This album wasn’t amazing, but I liked parts of it. The end was pretty ass unfortunately
I've heard their last album prior to this one. Enjoyed it, but never retuned to it. Generally a fan of the genre. Freak Scene. Energy of the track contrasts with the downturned attitude of the vocals. Guitar sounds crunchy with a nice distortion effect. Good solo. Shoegazy. Strong opener 4.5/5 No Bones Flat drums. Interesting riff. Slightly whiny vocals, works fine. Acustic guitar is a nice addition. Noisy. Vocals disappear a bit at the end. 4/5 They Always Come I really can't hear what the vocalist is singing on the first verse. Subtly solid drum performance. Great distortion, the droning guitars are beautiful to listen to. Solid. 4/5 Yeah we Know Loud. Low energy. Structured well into the instrumental bit. Overstays its welcome. Lacking in variation. 3/5 Let it right Punky opening riff. Ambivalent about the writing on the track, the repetitiveness doesn't impress. The really loud pair of guitars at the end marks an exlosive final third elevating the song. 3.5/5 Pond Song An entirely different vibe to start. The guitars contrast well against each other. The serene guitar playing cut by the agressive riffing of the other guitar makes for a pretty cool effect. Decent. 3.5/5 Budge Getting straight into it with some great layering of the distorted guitars. The bass is more prevalent here, almost post-punky in its execution. Strong chorus. Good. 3.8/5 The Post Dark, gothic to start. Great chorus. Post chorus breakdown bookmarks it well. Ebbs and flows. Explosive. Muted drums again. Good. 3.8/5 Don't Great guitar effects. Screaming vocals add a lot to the distortion of the track. Some different energy to the vocals is welcome. Noisy. Some nice melodies buried beneath. I'm enjoying the aggression here. Ends in an explosion of sound. All round great track. 4.2/5 Keep the Glove Vocals start a bit rough. A bit more upbeat instrumentation. Shoegazey loud guitars close the album well. Decent closer. 3.5/5 Liked it quite a bit. Think there were some rough parts but overall enjoyable. Did a great job of making each song sound different from each other with a limited spectrum of sonic ideas. Fave track. Freak Scene Least fave track. Yeah we Know
Just about all Dinosaur Jr. songs sound the same to me.
Found this to be pretty mediocre.
Like it, just not enough to love it. Very 90s alter rock scene vibe, with some classic effects. It's the type of music that I like to hear. Riffs are sick. No miss (yet no unexpectedly stunning track either, which is a bit weird to me). I enjoy listening to this album, that's for sure. Love "No Bones", the guitar a bit more messy, almost shoegazing. A clear 4/5. It's good.
6/10 The papa to the Pixies mama of 90's alternative. I never heard them in their hayday but I've heard them in every 90's grunge song since then. Good stuff, but nothing stands out. 2-12-2025
Noisy as fuck. Love it.
Could have been a four but Don’t automatically drops it a point
February 8, 2025 Me during most of Bug: :) Me during "Don't": 😨 Me during bonus track, "Keep the Glove": :) Dinosaur Jr. is one of those bands I've flip-flopped on the most. You're Living All Over Me (1987) was one of the earlier albums on the list, first heard in June of 2022. I was indifferent on its low-fi experiments and intense distortion then, but about a year later I put it on for a lark and was surprised how *good* it sounded. It was like finally seeing the Magic Eye picture, whereas before it was just colour and noise. In February 2023, I listened to Sebadoh for the first time, a band that found its origins in Dinosaur Jr. through former bassist Lou Barlow. Once again I had mixed feelings on its brand of alt-rock, though roughly a year after THAT, I clearly thought fondly enough of Bubble and Scrape (1993) to buy it when I found it in a used music shop. And now, Bug (1988) falls into my lap, and I don't have to work to appreciate it anymore :0 The downside is, I don’t expect a year-delayed revelation; the slightly cleaner guitars compared to the previous 🦖 means I could put this on in more general situations, but I haven’t really learned anything about the band that I didn’t already realize. Except that they were perhaps gunning for a real hit (“Freak Scene”) HL: “Freak Scene”, “No Bones”, “Let it Ride”
Yeah. It’s ok. Better than I thought it would be.
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.
I genuinely think if they didn't include "Don't" on this album, the average rating would go up an entire star. I was surprised to see all the hate until I got there, and I did skip it. Not a good final impression for the album. The rest of the album is like a 4.5/5 though. It was really good
Dinoauru.. pipsapossusta tuttu huudahdus...
Pre-grunge grunge. I thought it was a solid early grunge album, and it seems like they were ahead of their time in that sense.
This was slightly more tolerable than their other album from this list, even though the overwhelming amount of guitar feedback tried to convince me otherwise. The underlying rock rhythms were better this time around.
Not their best album, in my opinion, but such a great band that even a lesser album ranks a **** in my book.
Generic, grungy, guitar music. Every song sounds the same. Probably amazing if you grew up listening to it but sadly not for me. Favourite Tracks: Don't Won't be revisiting. 2/5
Mildly nostalgic.
Did not particularly like this
Another instance of "why the fuck do these morons have multiple albums on this list?" Favourite songs: No Bones, Freak Scene, Pond Song Least favourite songs: Don't (listen as the vocalist ingests the microphone while simultaneously pulling off his own fingernails.... Seriously, wtf was that?!?) 2/5
Enjoyed
pretty solid rock, feels like a more metal midwest emo style.
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.
This is pretty good. Freak Scene is a strong opening and I enjoy the distorted guitars. There's some awesome drumming on this album as well, I noticed it a lot and wouldn't normally pay great attention to this. The drumming around the mini pauses in They Always Come really drives the song strongly I found it starts to sound more droney as the album goes on. Don't is a pretty unpleasant song. Capping my score at 3
3.5/5 This is a chill enjoyable listen, if not groundbreaking. I don't think I'm going to return to Don't, even if I can respect it. Freak Scene 4.5/5 No Bones 3.5/5 They Always Come 5/5 (FAV) Yeah We Know 3/5 Let It Ride 4/5 Pond Song 4/5 Budge 3.5/5 The Post 3/5 (LEAST FAV) Don't 3.5/5
I have heard of Dinosaur Jr and have heard a couple songs on the radio. Did not hear any of the songs I thought I would hear, but still found this to be a pretty decent album. Overall had the kind of a vibe and sound I generally enjoy. Have to point out, my spotify kicked into Wire, Mudhoney, Fugazi and the like so it got even better when the album was over. Again, not a bad album, but there wasn't anytime I felt the need to download anything. It had some good tunes and a couple that went hard and punkish. Thought they mixed up their sound and songs pretty good. Freak Scene and No Bones stood out, but I also enjoyed Don't. Don't was quite a bit different than the rest of the album and can't explain why, but I dug it. Decent but not great. Pretty much down the middle for me, but did enjoy my listens. 3
3.5 The second that I saw a lot of reviews complaining about this album being a lot of noise, I had a feeling it was going to be something that I’d like. Granted, I’ve also enjoyed most things I’ve heard by Dinosaur Jr. in the past, so I went into this pretty positively predisposed. Sure enough, right off the bat, I really, really enjoyed the first track on the album, Freak Scene. It’s a catchy track that manages to feel both fun and raw, while also being accompanied by some solid lyrics to boot. I really enjoyed J Mascis’ vocal delivery on the track as well, which had a talk-sing dynamic to it that reminded me a bit of Pavement. The song pretty quickly went into my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify, and I was surprised to learn right after that my boys in blink-182 have a cover of the song that was recorded for their first demo - though, if you find this album unlistenable, then prepare yourself for that recording. However, beyond Freak Scene, the album seems to slowly devolve both in a sense of memorable songwriting and overall listenability, to the point that Don’t had me nodding my head and sympathizing with all the detractors who called this album pure noise, especially considering it’s the longest song here. (Though fun note - blink-182’s third demo, Buddha, also ended with a song called Don’t. Maybe they’re bigger fans of the band than I realized?) I digress, I really don’t see myself seeking out the song ever again for any reason. That all to say, while largely unmemorable, the album as a whole still generally had an enjoyable enough of an alt rock vibe to it that no song (aside from Don’t) would ever feel unwelcome in the shuffle, especially when put between artists like Sonic Youth, Pixies, and the aforementioned Pavement. I could see myself maybe giving this a full listen again, but if so, I can tell you one thing, it’s not going to be through my frayed Apple earbuds at the gym. Headphone warning for anyone out there yet to give this a listen - you better have yourself a nice pair, or you’ll have random intervals of feedback fired straight into your eardrums at high velocity while trying to do front squats. But then again, that’s rock n roll, baby.
Started well but nah, not for me
It was okay, kind of forgettable.
Album started off fine enough but then the second song came on and I wanted to jump out the window. This trend unfortunately continued. Really awful whiney vocals, like your drunk friend at karaoke. This is garbage but at least it's short. 3.25/10 (1.625/5)
This album is at least 8 or 10 years ahead of its time. If I would have had to guess what year without knowing I think I would’ve said at least 1996. Great alternative sound on most of the tracks except a couple that are a little harder and more punky. Most songs remind me of Our Lady Peace mixed with Foo Fighters or something similar. If I would’ve found this album and band in the early 2000s when I was listening to this type stuff it would’ve been on repeat for a while.
Cool
Some elements of Pixies, lots of cool solos, Favourite songs: freak scene, they always come, yeah we know, let it ride, budge, the post. Overall around 8/10
Decent listen
Pleasant for precisely two tracks
1. freak - 1 2. bonez - 1 3. come - 1.5 4. knouu - 1 5. ride - 1.5 6. pond - 1 7. budge - 1 8. pozt - 1 9. dont - 1.5 10. glove - 1
I do like you
Did they invent 90s rock? This almost rules - like 2 inches away from being actually good. 3.99999
Random thoughts throughout the album Track #2, no bones sounds like lead singer is whining. For 1988 I'm surprised at how developed some of the guitar parts are. Energy from Don't surprised me, was not expecting legit screaming. Never heard of this band, will look into their wikipedia on why they made it to this 1001 albums list.
This is the alternative 80s/90s rock that I love! Guitar was absolutely shredding throughout, sometimes to a fault, overshadowing the vocals. But not to point where any song wasn't fun to listen to. Was not familiar with Dinosaur Jr. before, although I have come to realize "Feel the Pain" was on Rock Band 2! Funny this album is not a favorite of theirs, I'm curious to see how their sound changes.
3.75
4.5 stars. Sounds ahead of it's time (1988). Driving lead guitar, punchy/catchy drumming. Fairly noisy/grungy, but not overly so. Standouts are "Freak Scene", "They Always Come", "Budge", "The Post" good. Only letdown is "Don't", screaming vocals too much.
This album started off enjoyable enough, but there was a distinct tonal shift with Don't which we really did not enjoy.
Este disco lo tengo en vinilo comprado cuando salió a la venta. Había escuchado alguna canción en la radio y con eso me bastó. Cuando se lo presté o lo escuchaban en mi casa no le gustaba a nadie. A los heavies el cantante no les convencía, a los poperos las guitarras les superaban. Este disco y el Dr. Doolittle para mi son la puerta de entrada adelantada al grunge que luego vino y tanto disfruté. El comienzo con Freak Scene es toda una declaración de principios. Hoy en día el disco puede no significar mucho, pero en 1988!!! Apuntaos al menos "Freak Scene", "They Always Come", "Let It Ride" y "Pond Song".
Close to a 4 star. I enjoyed a lot of this but it was more raw of an album than I like, though I could see that part being a plus to others. Proto grunge
Really not my cup of tea, all songs sound the same and don’t go anywhere
Alright indie rock punk. Perfect small rowdy venue sound
Marskej mi je vsec in vidm podobnost z unim pop rockom k ga poznam recmo, ampak drgac mi je pa kr mau prevec intense
Good.
This started ok, but progressively got worse as it went. By the end it was just an annoying noise in my ears and I wanted to be over.
Oh what a Mess. Listened to freak scene a lot, way back when, being an anthem of sorts for that gen X/slacker vibe. Rest of the album isn’t quiet up to that mark, but highly influential all the same on bands like Nivarna and the indie and grunge scene of the early 90’s
Dull
This album reminded me of a lot of sexual encounters I've had with my wife. In this case, I'm the band, and I'm SO stoked. I have so many cool tricks up my sleeve to impress her. I'm gonna show off the pedalboard and be like, "Check out this crazy tone!" She, on the other hand, is me, the listener; mostly just waiting for it to be over; nodding her head and going, "Yeah, that's really great." If you ever have to scream at someone, "WHY DON'T YOU LIKE ME?!" I think you kind of have your answer, don't you?
I feel the pain of everyone struggling to get through this album’s muddled malaise, then I feel nothing.
This was another one of those albums that feels like the lesser know influencer of a genre. You can hear a lot of inspiration for future Alt Rock bands throughout the run of the this album. I had a good time listening to it, and I will likely try giving it another listen at some point in the future.
En la segunda escucha pude apreciar la magia de este disco. Hay ruido, pero con melodías y ahí está la gracia. Eso sí, el cantante se esfuerza por cantar como si no importase si está a tono con el resto de la banda. Hay una propuesta filosófica en eso, estoy seguro. Como dicen en Ratatouille: cualquiera puede cantar.
Better as a middle of the road pop group than when they revert to screamo mode.
Dig Dinosaur Jr. But this didn't really do it for me. 3
Mediocre album by a somewhat overrated band (in my opinion)
Freak Scene is better than any song on You’re Living All Over Me, but after hearing both in the same week I think Bug falls short. It’s still great but doesn’t do quite as much. And “Don’t” is really unpleasant. But man, what an opener.
Good alternative/indie rock. Some screaming guitar work.
Can’t believe I’m giving this band both a 5 and a 2 in the same month but I really could not get into this one. Far to much on the “noise” side of things for me.
Another raucous offering from Dinosaur Jr., this time with a quite surprising amount of hooks poking their heads out of the sludge. It’s still lo-fi and noisy but feels a bit more structured in terms of the songwriting and more considered about when and when not to lean into the noisiness than their earlier work. That being said, I really appreciate J. Mascis’ commitment to vibes over ego, as there is some genuinely fantastic guitar soloing on here (especially in closing track Don’t) that is almost incomprehensible through the harsh vocals and droning feedback
In theory I should probably have liked this one but didn’t really grab me.
I can hear where Nirvana & Foo Fighters got their inspiration from. An okay listen.
A more poished sounding album than the raw energy of When You're Living All Over Me. But still plenty of stinging guitar bits that are Mascis' trademark. The songs are a little more melodic, a little more refined. All makes for a more accessible album that reveals plenty ofnuances with each listen. About as good as indie-guitar rock gets. 4 stars
Cacophony, unlimiy
Fuzzy but for me impossible to recognize different songs
Very enjoyable plinky vibes
Lustig, da het sich also es Album vonere 17-jährige Schuel-Rockband bide 1001 Albe inegschmugglet. Ich gsehn sie am Kantiball mit ihrne Justin Bieber Frisure schüch vor 20 Mitschüelerinne stah, ihri lieder ohni grossi show (wege zu schüch) durezspiele. Ah de Herr Rüdisüli vo Geografie isch au det hine am zuelose. Was macht denn de mit de Frau Ludisberger vo Französisch? Uiuiuiui! Dörf mer das under Lehrer*inne? Naja, hauptsach d Seline isch au vorne debii, sie isch ja mit em Sänger am Pascal zeme. Het aber glaubs au scho mit em Manuel, em Schlagzüger umegmacht. Aber de isch ja neuerdings mit de Vanessa zemme, dünd aber so als wäreds nur Befründet, defür wüsseds ja alli. Sogar d Frau Bianca vo Gschicht weiss das. Da gangi lieber um de egge en fette Joint go rauche und die versteckti Smirnoff Fläsche go exe wie bi dere Band wiiter zuezlose. Sorry Pasci und Manu, würd eu im Sport au als letzts wähle.
Dinosaur jr Was ein name. No bones, na e big up track. Würi eich na gern lose im nachts im museum, vlt so mit dino skelett und band vor mir und under mir e schöne rote perser teppich uf altem steibode. Wär 1 vibe. Eich na e oke entdeckig, aber isch mir immer mi weh zu rockig worde, und denn au wieder müsse skippe. Anderi ziit ufgwachnse neduzen wür vlt zu dem sound meh (head)bange. Uf jedefall isch min trex nöd erregt wurde und darum wirdi die songs wohl eher nach de nächste eisziit wieder lose. Anyway rest in peace liebi dinos, und danke dass mir euch wenigstens im museeum und kino na chönd gseh. 3 Stegosaurus vum nedisaurus senior
was isch den das für es chäferfest sind die songtitel ezt würklich chäfer inspiriert oder nöd freak scene, no bones, they always come, pond song, usw es paar lieder sind irgendwie no catchy gsi, so chli noisy stuff mit öppertem wo normal mit dir reded unds aber gsang nennet - chammer mache aber denn au ganz komische stuff widermal en gischte sack voll chäfer 3000 cucarachas
oh oh nei danke han irgendwie es borderline suizidals folk album erwartet aber da hani mi chli verschätzt 2 chäfer für vo‘s dinosauriers de jüngscht
Doesn’t have the same indie guitar heroics of the later Dinosaur albums but still a great record.
this one is so tricky! I love dinosaur jr. but I’m a little baffled by Bug being their album on this list. I know the band hated it, but probably because they were on the verge of breaking up. certainly not my favorite of theirs, but I appreciated listening to it in its entirety (since I usually skip “don’t”)
I’ll confidently say I didn’t listen thoroughly. I played this while gaming, while working, and while being a sloot and I never found peace with the noise. I became a boomer listening to this. Back in my day, we broke shit and smashed the system, man. Says the generation that caused the mess we’re in. 2/5, I didn’t hate it just didn’t like it.
I was originally thinking 2.5 (3) for the same reason as Sex Pistols bc it’s Sex Pistols in a grungier font. It’s noisy. However I think it deserves a 2. I’m not sure if it’s inherently worse than Sex Pistols. I’m trying to be fair here. If I wasn’t being fair I’d give it a one because I’m sick of noisy music. Sorry Stirling.
Punk, Noise Fängt schlecht an und wird nicht besser.
Solides und kreatives Rockalbum, die letzten beiden Songs zusammen/nacheinander waren mein highlight Ist leider nicht gut gemischt und produziert
That's a jam for sure. Does it stand out? I guess in 1988 it did.
Cool guitar but too noisy for me
Listening to this straight after the Pixies just illustrates my point about how joyous Doolittle is. By comparison this is a bit of a dirgy slog lacking any moments of joy.
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
A precursor to grunge. Can definitely hear how it influenced Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and the rest of the Seattle scene. Not perfect but pretty good. Didn't mind the dissonance.
3 stars
I love dinosaurs
I really like the sound of this, the guitar-driven rock, it has all the ingredients to be great - except tunes. There just aren't any melodic hooks to hold on to. I like the vocal style. the backing vocals, the drums, bass and guitar - it's all there except the songs.
I liked the abrasiveness of it but the production annoyed me after a while. It was quite thin sounding
Why did they let this guy sing? He's shite.
Thought I would like this more. I enjoyed the first half but the second half started grating on me. Solidly in my wheelhouse but not going to become a relisten in the genre.
it's noisy and loud and brash and loud. i love it, your honor.
why was there that one part that was a lot of wailing and thrashing and rending of garments the rest was fine enough
I expect that this isn’t to everyone’s liking, but I really enjoy that late 80s lofi/college rock sound. Along with Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Meat Puppets, Dinosaur Jr were one of the biggest influences on the 90s alt rock explosion. It’s worth your time to give it multiple listens, especially through a decent pair of headphones.
I’m so bored of mediocre rock albums that are a part of this just because it was part of a sub-genre that was popular for half a year in the eighties.
Dinosaur Jr is insanely influential for music that I really like, but I think they have better albums than this one.
Very Sonic Youth-y, and maybe a bit too Sonic Youth-y listless noise rock in places. But it's easy to forget that this kind of music was bubbling under until Nirvana brought it to a boil.
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
this was pretty good. got a little weird in the middle but finished strong.
Not bad. Alright.
i've had a hard time getting into j mascis in the past, most likely because this one dude i knew in college, who was both a complete tool AND pretty unavoidable (we worked at the same radio station and had some of the same classes) was soooooper into him & every one of his projects. but really, i like his music, almost without exception. this album might not have the same appeal to me as some of jr's others, but it was still pretty damn solid
Screamy, grungy, feedback-y rock. Nothing here to write home about that’s for fucking sure.
Not big on it. Kinda monotonous
Another solid entry from these. Like the first one, gives 4 or so tracks are really solid, after which it wobbles down a bit. Very similar to the previous release, whilst not necessarily a bad thing I guess one criticism is they could have branched out more. Still, an enjoyable listen.
You would like this album if you identify with a voice crack
I already know that this is not for me.
Solid rock! Not for me these days, but I think I would have been much more into them before I crested that hill of life.
I didn't like this
I don’t love dinosaur jr, so I’m not thrilled about this album. It’ll probably be three stars. That said, it’s not from the 70s, so that’s something. Yeah, it's exactly what I thought. fine, I guess. I find the lyricist whiny and boring, but it doesn't suck. 3 stars it is. Ho hum.
While I usually like this kind of music this artist or at least this album didn't resonate with me at all. I can't put my finger on exactly why but I didn't enjoyed my listen through.
I remember enjoying a Dinosaur Jr. album in the late 00s or early 2010s. I had no idea that band had already been around for 25 years by that point. Funnily enough, the sound was instantly recognizable even though I never got super into the band. All in all, I enjoyed this one. The wall of sound noise rock, the garbled/lofi vocals, the shredding guitar. It was pretty good. There were definitely a couple of tracks I didn't like as much (the penultimate song was way too screamo for me and very hard on the ears) but overall this is a solid album. Is it a "must hear"? Probably not. 3.5
I remember hearing Dinosaur Jr. mentioned as an influence by bands I listened to in High School - and I definitely hear that influence on this record. This probably would have changed my life if I had listened to it back then. I still really liked the album, "Freak Scene" and "No Bones" are killer opening tracks, and the rest of the album is enjoyable (except for maybe the last track).
Somehow this album felt really long, even though it was a relatively short one and it just kept on going and going (unless I maybe looped it but I didn't realise when the songs changed as they all sounded very similar). The whole album had a little bit of a generic 90s feeling and given that it came out in 1988, it was probably slightly ahead of its time. Nothing too exciting, I guess it was also for a background listen, but pretty meh nowadays. The song "Don't" though, which is second to last in the album... crazily bad, actually just screaming into the microphone, and although the instrumentals were alright, it's like getting a free ice cream after someone beats the shizzle out of you. That dropped my rating significantly because it wasn't a normal length but 5 minutes and 41 seconds. Yes, I could have skipped it but what kind of a reviewer would I be...
I can see how foundational this was for 90s lo-fi, indie, and maybe even proto-emo, but eugh. I just really don't like sludgy, ugly music like this. there were actually a few points in some of the songs i quite liked, but they were soon buried under either a wall of discordant fuzz or wailing. also i kind of think maybe you should have a good voice to be the lead singer of a band...? crazy but true? IDK!!!
I quite liked this one. It lacks a massive Feel the Pain-esque single, though the opening track is clearly the winner here. Dinosaur Jr. are really in their groove here, with solid, powerful music and curious lyrics to bring everything together. They sound rough around the edges (in a good way) and like a bit stew of grungy, indie, lo-fi emotion. I dig it. favorites: freak scene, no bones, yeah we know, let it ride, budge
T Rox. B fly. Didn’t always hold my attention, but when it did I liked it
windscreen splatter
Chaotic is about as descriptive as it gets for this one. Too busy.
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.
Dinosaur Jr. is music for guitarists. The most interesting parts of the songs are pedals and solos. I'm not a guitarist so...the ceiling for any Dinosaur Jr. song is a 3. J Mascis is not a singer and this is not an album I would have on as background music nor is it boppy enough to have as ROCK OUT music. Just like the mighty tyrannosaurus rex, Dinosaur Jr. and Gen X shoegazers will die and I won't think about them much.
This could have been a 4 or 5 album but this mix is terrible. I thought my speakers were broken at first. WIll have to do more digging on Dino Jr. because I liked what I heard, it just sounded like i had ear muffs on or something.
Massachusetts boys! I've been to maybe 5 concerts in the last three years and somehow two of them were Dinosaur Junior, so I think I've tried to convince myself they were better than they actually were. They play incredibly loud - and J Mascis goes off on most songs, but they often fall into a kind of 'wall of sound' approach where it feels like their main goal is to blast you away. To me, the effect of that is usually more distancing than engaging. "Freak Scene" is an awesome song, and I like a few others. But too often they favor dissonance to melody, and the album suffers from a lack of texture: they don't mix up either the volume or the rhythm enough - so it all has a flattening, almost hostile effect after awhile. The listener leaves with ringing in their ears and need for some peace and quiet. Or maybe I'm just old.
I get the significance of Dinosaur Jr (80s pre grunge and new punk influence). I dont believe this is their strongest stuff and the album itself doesnt hold my attention well. It wasnt all boring: Yeah We Know was a good tune. Freak Scene was alright. Pond Song was good. Budge was fun (sounded like blink 182). Dont was striking in a refreshing way. I want to give 3.5 stars. And im afraid of rounding this one up to make a stronger point, so in a rare move, ill push it back to 3 stars
Having trouble giving this anything more than 2 stars. Some pieces I liked, but far more pieces I viscerally disliked. Is Dinosaur Jr versatile or unfocused? Fearless or oblivious? Who's to say. I'm not sure I know anyone who would like every genre they're doing on this album. It's so punk rock to have lead vocalists with fucking terrible voices. Kinda a flex. Doesn't make me like it though. 'No Bones' is a good example. I can't imagine having the gall to be a lead vocalist if my voice sounded like this Having said that, I enjoyed the instrumentals on a few songs. They Always Come was fun and had some nice rawk elements going on. Having now said something nice, I really hated "Don't". Who honestly likes screamo
Have seen the name and given these guys a chance a few times, but never clicked. Still found this pretty challenging on the first listen, but liked it more after listening a bit more closely to J’s guitar work. Agree that it feels like the bones are there for an even better band if they would take the foot off the gas every now and then. Way better than Sonic Youth but not as good as The Replacements. Wouldn’t put this in my top tier, just based on listenability, but happy I dug a little deeper on them and would be interested to hear more. The spinoff band Sebadoh, is much more my speed. More melodic, better dynamics and song structure, though doesn’t have the same guitar power. Their Album Bakesale was on my regular rotation more than 10 years ago - had forgot about them until now - time for a revisit.
I liked their other album more, this was too noisy and sounded badly recorded. It kept getting noisier and less cohesive as it went on.
This is OK. Freak Scene almost reminded me of The Undertones, but without the class. Not really my scene, and it’s all a bit relentless at times, and not in a particularly good way. But it’s OK. I might not listen again, but I’ve heard a lot worse and at a few seconds over 35 minutes for the original release I’m happy I listened. Bit of a shame about Don’t really; that sort of spoils it. To the extent that I had to skip it. The non-original Keep the Glove is a much better ending, and a half-decent tune into the bargain. It doesn’t really fit, so I can see why it wasn’t on the original LP, but more of that would go down better with me.
Kinda cool!!
I know Dinosaur Jr. are held in high regard in the alternative and grunge scenes. I've never actually listened to them before. And I didn't miss anything. I dont know what the big deal is. Noisy distorted fuzzy guitars and droney vocals. And I can get past that and even into it if there are some great songs behind it. But as much as I tried I could not find one song that I could get into, or even half get into. I didn't want to give this a 1 but I just can't give it a 2. I disliked it that much.
Can hear all the things it will influence. Lots of variables tunes. Can't stand his whiny voice
I’d like to imagine my introduction to Dinosaur Jr. was similar to many people my age. Playing Skate 3, cycling through the music player and deciding which songs I wanted to keep and which to omit. I’m sure at that age when Almost Ready, the opening track to their 2007 album Beyond, came on, I probably turned it off. I don’t know if I was really capable of handling something that blown out. But I also enjoyed the Pixies song they had and most of the heavy metal tracks, so who really knows my reasoning? Only as I’ve gotten older have I gone back to that soundtrack and realized who that band was. And I’m glad their presence is on this list, no matter how much they get shit on by the average person. I guess I can understand that to the ears of the unaccustomed, this sounds horrible. Just plain noise with no real purpose. But considering the year this released, this album is huge. Few bands have made such a massive impact on the growth of alternative rock like my bloody valentine has. But Dinosaur Jr. is one of them. If there is anyone who loves his guitar pedals more than Kevin Shields, it’s J Mascis. Such an interesting frontman too. I saw it described by someone as “singing from your heart despite not being able to sing at all.” Which I love. It’s incredibly endearing. And any sane, non-biased fan of this band will tell you that admittedly Mascis can’t really sing. But I like his voice, no matter how much dissonance it really creates. Since this is Dinosaur Jr. though, what I really came here for is the guitars. And man, they are way more kick-ass than I ever could have imagined. All that I’ve heard about Mascis and his songwriting capabilities make sense to me now. The man is an expert at writing incredibly wild and captivating lead bits and solos that make every song a unique experience. As far as I’m concerned, the first four songs on the A-side is some of the most flawless sounding noise rock I’ve ever heard in my life. The rest of the album is solid too. Aside from maybe the closing track, which is almost alarmingly loud, and really puts the noise in “noise rock”. I’m really happy I enjoyed this as much as I did, because it makes me considerably more excited to hear what their previous album has to offer. Rating: 8/10
Day310 - a little of this goes a long way but i’ve always liked dinosaur jr. and their sloppy guitar sound
this was a pretty neutral, sometimes catchy album up until the song Don’t. then for that one song it turned into the album i assumed it would be based on the album art and band photo. that single song almost knocked this down from a 3 to a 2 star album but luckily there were more times where i was pleasantly surprised then when they were screaming in my ears so we’ll stick with a low 3
Sounds Grungy. Was able to listen to the whole album except for one song.
7.5/10. There is a really dreamy vibe to the guitars. The vocals are tender, but a little bit irritating at times. The drums are cool. I enjoy the overall dissonance. However, I wish that there was more deviation between songs. :)
Growing up, I felt like all of the coolest older kids were into Dinosaur Jr. I never quite got it though. I can see comparisons with Sonic Youth, and influence on the grunge scene. But it just didn't click with me. I'm sorry to say my opinion hasn't changed much. It's fine indie rock but kind of forgettable. I guess maybe you had to be there. But I'd take Sonic Youth over this any day.
nah
Es 'indie' pero del ruidoso y feo, onda los temas más trash de Pixies. Realmente no gustó.
Sounds like a rough Smashing Pumpkins. I like it.
I hate the way this guy sings. Don't is just noise, not in a good way. I don't get this
a step down from the last album
If it wasn't November 6th 2024 this morning as I listen to this is could be a bit more objective. So while not terrible it loses a star because I feel terrible about the country/world being doomed
They have a great sound
The songs are too loud. I feel like the instruments overpower the vocals.
Bad
The lead singer kind of sucks and the band is kind of rough but that's maybe what they are going for. They're not not my thing but I wouldn't ever see myself seeking this out. 2.5/5
Okay-ish
I’ve tried to get into Dinosaur Jr a few times as they seem like a band I would really like but I’m always a little underwhelmed listening through the whole album. I think I like them better as a singles band (freak scene, feel the pain) that pops up on playlists occasionally.
4.0 Are we only here for the j. Mascis solos? I really think his playing as a certain amount of charisma and its not just noodling around. Really fun to listen to and the production and band behind is solid and interesting. I went and listened to the farm album (released 15 years ago, crazy) after this. I thought I like farm the best but this was very very solid
It would be a lie to say I'm a fan. To me, every Dinosaur Jr. song sounds the same, with Feel the Pain being the exception. Even the highly regarded "Freak Scene" sounds like the same song again. I've actually seen them live and I could not tell you when a song ended and the other started. They played 18 SONGS that felt like 4. This album was sort of like that concert. Boringly listening to every song, waiting for the album to end so I can go and listen to better things. I always try to be objective, since every piece of music is way more complex than just "it's good" or "it's bad", but there are times where the album makes me don't even care about objectiveness anymore. Like Supa Dupa Fly, or the other ones I haven given 2/5's. Does it have a place in music history? I guess, but I'm not interested enough in the band to go into that deep dive. I was going to give it a 2, but "Don't" fucked things up and turned into a straight 1. I don't care. 1/5. And that's a lot.
A great album to play loud! I've dipped in and out on Dino Jr over the years so it's hard to say this is better or worse than some of their other output but I do like it.
Nothing but noise. Every single song incomprehensible. Was hard to pick a best song because I can't understand a word they say. Best song: Freak Scene
Believe it or not, I actually thought this was OK until "Don't" - which was too noisy even for me.
I actually really liked the vibe of this. I like the layered noisy guitars and I even like his singing. They've got a good sound here and a real identity which I admire. 3.5 rounded down.
Nice
I guess Dinosaur Jr are in the same bucket as Sonic Youth for me - hugely influential on the bands that had a major impact on me. So I can listen and enjoy it, but it doesn't quite make a connection.
I enjoyed the guitar at parts , the sound is rough but it grew on me … the guitar solos stand out here and there but overall its not an easy listen… I suspect I’ll appreciate having heard this in my music journey though
I could not get into this album at all.
**Album Overview** *Bug*, the third studio album by Dinosaur Jr., was released in 1988 and is often regarded as one of the band's defining works. The album showcases the band's signature sound—a fusion of heavy guitar distortion, melodic hooks, and introspective lyrics. Consisting of J Mascis on guitar and vocals, Lou Barlow on bass, and Murph on drums, *Bug* further solidified the band’s role in shaping the alternative rock and grunge movements of the late '80s and early '90s. **Music** The music on *Bug* is characterized by its dense guitar layers, melodic riffs, and dynamic shifts between loud and soft passages. Mascis’ distinctive guitar style is the backbone of the album, featuring feedback-drenched solos, fuzz-laden power chords, and intricate fingerpicking that balances noise and melody. The album's opener, "Freak Scene," epitomizes this approach, delivering one of the band's most enduring songs, with a simple yet infectious riff and a powerful blend of raw and polished elements. "Freak Scene" sets the tone with an accessible melody that contrasts with the band's characteristic abrasive sound, showcasing Mascis' skill in crafting memorable guitar lines. The following track, "No Bones," continues in a similar vein, featuring heavy guitar distortion with a catchy, almost pop-like structure. Meanwhile, "Budge" offers a mid-tempo groove, with a thick wall of guitar textures providing a backdrop for Mascis' languid vocal delivery. The album's quieter moments, such as "Pond Song," feature a more restrained use of distortion, allowing the melodies to take center stage. The track's jangly guitar tones and softer dynamics provide a refreshing contrast to the more aggressive songs. Similarly, "The Post" employs clean guitar tones and builds to a crescendo, with Mascis' emotionally charged solo adding depth to the song's otherwise straightforward structure. However, *Bug* is not without its chaotic side. "Don't" is a noisy, dissonant track with Barlow taking on the vocal duties, screaming the repeated phrase "Why don't you like me?" The track is abrasive and confrontational, contrasting sharply with the album's more melodic moments and showcasing the band's willingness to experiment with noise and unconventional song structures. The inclusion of this track adds a visceral edge to the album, though it may not appeal to all listeners. **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Bug* largely reflect feelings of alienation, introspection, and frustration. Mascis’ writing style is often vague and impressionistic, conveying emotion more through tone than narrative clarity. In "Freak Scene," for example, the lyrics explore the complexities of relationships and the anxiety that comes with them, with lines like "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." This sense of personal struggle and ambivalence is a recurring theme throughout the album. In "They Always Come," Mascis touches on feelings of inadequacy and unfulfilled desires, though the lyrics remain cryptic enough to allow for multiple interpretations. This open-endedness is a strength of the album, as it invites listeners to project their own experiences onto the songs. The lyrics often complement the music's rough-hewn textures, creating a cohesive aesthetic that merges the personal with the visceral. Mascis' deadpan vocal delivery can make the lyrics difficult to decipher at times, but this adds to the overall sense of distance and detachment that permeates the album. While this approach may not resonate with listeners seeking clear, direct storytelling, it fits well within the broader context of the alternative rock genre of the time. **Production** The production of *Bug* is raw and unpolished, retaining a lo-fi quality that gives the album an authentic, gritty feel. The decision to avoid overproducing the album works in its favor, as the rough edges contribute to the band's identity and the album's overall atmosphere. The heavy use of guitar distortion and feedback is integral to the album's sound, with Mascis often allowing the noise to bleed into the mix, creating a thick sonic texture. However, the album’s rawness sometimes comes at the cost of clarity. The drums, for instance, can sound buried in the mix, and the bass is not always as prominent as it could be. This may detract from the overall listening experience for those who prefer a more polished sound. The vocal mixing also leaves Mascis' voice somewhat obscured, which may be frustrating for listeners trying to decipher the lyrics. Nonetheless, these production choices are intentional and contribute to the album's unique character. **Themes** Thematically, *Bug* deals with themes of alienation, personal conflict, and introspection, common in alternative and punk music. The sense of being an outsider runs through the lyrics, particularly in tracks like "Freak Scene" and "They Always Come." Mascis’ detached vocal style enhances the feeling of isolation, giving the impression of a narrator who is emotionally disconnected from his surroundings. The theme of frustration is prominent as well, notably in "Don't," where the repetitive shouting of "Why don't you like me?" reflects a raw and unfiltered expression of insecurity. The album’s blend of melodic and abrasive elements mirrors the inner conflict conveyed in the lyrics, with the loud-quiet dynamics symbolizing the tension between emotional turmoil and the desire for resolution. *Bug* also touches on the theme of resignation, with several tracks featuring a languid vocal delivery that suggests an acceptance of life's struggles rather than a fight against them. This sense of surrender, coupled with the band's signature slacker aesthetic, became influential in shaping the sound of the '90s alternative scene. **Influence** *Bug* had a significant impact on the evolution of alternative rock and the emerging grunge movement. The album's blend of noise, melody, and introspective lyrics resonated with many musicians who would go on to shape the sound of the '90s. Bands like Nirvana and Sonic Youth cited Dinosaur Jr. as a major influence, with Kurt Cobain frequently mentioning *Bug* as a favorite. The album’s approach to guitar work, in particular, left a lasting mark on the genre. Mascis' ability to combine melodic solos with aggressive, noisy textures helped to redefine the role of the guitar in alternative music. His use of dynamics, alternating between quiet verses and explosive choruses, became a staple of the grunge sound. This influence extended beyond just guitar work, as the album's raw production and emotionally detached lyrics also resonated with a generation of artists seeking to break away from the polished mainstream rock of the '80s. **Pros of the Album** 1. **Distinctive Guitar Work:** J Mascis’ guitar playing is a highlight, with its unique blend of noise, melody, and virtuosity. The guitar solos are emotionally expressive, while the rhythm sections provide a compelling mixture of crunch and clarity. 2. **Emotional Depth:** The lyrics, while often cryptic, evoke feelings of alienation, frustration, and introspection. This emotional rawness adds to the album's authenticity and has resonated with many listeners. 3. **Influence on Alternative Rock:** *Bug* played a crucial role in shaping the alternative rock and grunge scenes, leaving a lasting legacy that can be heard in the music of countless bands. 4. **Dynamic Sound:** The album features a compelling mix of loud and soft dynamics, enhancing the emotional impact of the songs and keeping the listener engaged. 5. **Authentic Production:** The lo-fi, unpolished production gives the album a gritty, organic feel that suits the band’s style and adds to its character. **Cons of the Album** 1. **Inconsistent Quality:** Not all tracks on the album reach the same level of excellence as "Freak Scene" or "Pond Song." For instance, "Don’t" may be too abrasive or repetitive for some listeners, disrupting the flow of the album. 2. **Buried Instrumentation:** The production sometimes obscures elements like the drums and bass, which can detract from the overall impact. A more balanced mix might have enhanced the listening experience. 3. **Vague Lyrics:** While some may appreciate the ambiguity of the lyrics, others may find them lacking in substance or clarity. The emotional tone is often more significant than the words themselves. 4. **Mascis’ Vocal Style:** Mascis’ vocal delivery is not conventionally strong, often coming across as disengaged or monotonous. This may not appeal to those who prefer more expressive or varied singing styles. 5. **Not Accessible to All:** The album’s noisy, distorted aesthetic and raw production might be off-putting to those who are unaccustomed to alternative or lo-fi music. **Conclusion** *Bug* stands as a significant album in Dinosaur Jr.'s discography and the broader alternative rock canon. Its combination of abrasive guitar work, introspective lyrics, and raw production encapsulates the spirit of late-'80s alternative music. While not perfect, the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, and it remains influential to this day. For listeners interested in exploring the roots of the alternative rock and grunge movements, *Bug* offers a compelling snapshot of a band at the height of its creative powers. Ultimately, *Bug* captures a moment in time when music was shifting away from the polished mainstream rock of the '80s, paving the way for a new wave of artists who valued authenticity, emotional depth, and musical experimentation.
I wasn't a fan of the guy's voice; he just sounded whiney. The music itself wasn't bad. 2.5/5
I like it :) not the best D Jr album but still good
Musically this has some interesting moments but the vocals really put me off to the point where I can't listen to it.
Nah
This is not what I call music.
boring. not necessarily bad, but like... so much I've heard before. But I would've thought, that this album is from the 90s-00s just from the sound of some songs. so these guys already did boring 00s music in the 80s. that's cool.
Joy. More grungey, alternative, whiny indie. Wikipedia lists this as 'Noise Rock' which is actually pretty accurate. Just noise, where all the tracks just sort of blend together to create one long 35 minute song. They sound a little bit like a bad high school band trying to emulate their favourite artists. I don't like the singer's voice, it seems very out of tune. Is that the point? I will admit there are a couple of cool riffs here and there ('Yeah We Know' and 'Let It Ride' for example) and the solos are very loud and over the top, I quite enjoyed them. I thought 'Don't' was actually pretty cool. Everything on this track is screaming, the guitars, the vocals, really great. This type of music just isn't my thing. I'm just glad it wasn't a double album and was finished after a little over half an hour. Decent enough background music but nothing more. A generous two stars.
It's a nice new discovery for me
Vocal is terrible. Sounds flat. Songs are like a constant run on sentence. Glad when I finished listening to this album! “Don’t”. …. Seriously, is this music or just a lot of screaming. Sounds like a child having a temper tantrum or an adult with serious mental issues.
Noisey jangly ballsy rock with hooks.
4/5
Jesus a lot of low ratings are popular for this. It’s not that bad? Like it sounds like a very competent pre-grunge indie album with a few standout tracks.
Probably won’t revisit.. but didn’t hate it
A bit noisy but ok
Is it Smashing Pumpkins?
This is okay, pleasant even but I'm not convinced it's that special.
If the Nirvana available isn't enough Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr.
Dropped the ball again, younger self. What a disappointment.
Noisy and formless. Not my thing.
Yea, pretty good
Started off good, but the last couple tracks...yikes!
I really like Dinosaur Jr. But as an album, I can't really say this is over a 4/5.
Another rock/indie band I was aware of in the day but never gave the time of day. Was actually very good. 3.5 stars
It was ok, but unremarkable.
Iets beter dan de vorige maar nog steeds matig. Nummers pakken niet echt, en klinken ook niet top.
This was an interesting album. One of those where it's really ahead of its time.. sounds like it's from much later than 1988. Was clearly very influential on the alt rock sound of the 90s. Some good tracks.
Some noisy oiks abusing guitars and drums…
I kind of dig this but at the same time I don’t. I like this type of guitar forward, loud, punky, progressive sound but this isn’t hitting for me. Some of the riffs and jams are cool but it’s the washed out vocals by the wall of sound that really take points away
Very low 2 stars. Nothing about this is good, and it did annoy me quite a bit. The saving grace is this as actually labeled as "Noise Rock" on Wikipedia, and I would say the album very much ticks this particular box.
I don't know, I liked some songs. I think it's the lead singer's voice that I can't get over. 2/5
This was such a pleasant surprise! I actually put this album off by a few days, because I wasn’t in the mood for rock the day this album was generated. But it was right in my genre wheelhouse! Reminds me of Counting Crowe but a little less pop-y.
I'd never really liked these guys, but thought this was pretty pleasant on repeat listen. That's probably a sign that my tastes are rejuvenating. They're a little harsh, a little sludgy, but that suits me. That said it's pretty rough. I think there's better guys doing this same kind of thing (e.g. Sunny Day Real Estate). And the song "Don't" is so unbelievably unpleasant that no reasonable person would sit through it.
Kind of all over the map on the sound, but was decent
I wanted to like this more than I did.
The sound is so good I don't even care about the voice. Amazing sound, such diversity of song writing, genius.
Started strong, devolved into some fairy generic and samey indie rock for the most part. Then came "Don't". I'm okay with noise rock but that was straight up obnoxious. Started a 4, ended a 2.
Doesn’t have the state legendary status that You’re Livinng All Over Me does, but song for song is probably my fav Dino Jr album. Really appreciate the improved production it just lets Js guitar and Lous thick bass to shine. Freak Scene is an all time opener
Nothing special, almost boring.
Average
2 awful mix too noisy
Intense
the slacker thing still bugs me but there’s no denying these guys created a whole world that was unique to them
No
3.5
General thoughts: kinda emoish or alt at times, else grunge didnt struck a big impression Favorite songs: Yeah We Know, Let it ride Worst songs: Don't Cover: Rustic cool but not emblematic at all Real rating: 2.95
Liked the guitar tones and noises. Hated the singer. Olivia liked it
Músia muy estridente para mi gusto, no me ha llamado especialmente la composición, si bien tiene arreglos de guitarra muy locos que llaman mucho la atención. Lo más destacado para mi es Don't, no encajando con mi estilo y resultándome estridente, pero realmente es la pieza más significativa y diferente del disco y merece ser mencionada
Påfrestande att lyssna på. Det är ju bara skrän.
Not quite grunge but noisier with lo-fi production. Almost all the songs are equally noisy and jangly. Vocals are weak, and not intentionally. Almost all songs kind of sound similar without any melodic hooks or notable guitar passages. And then there is this growling monster of a song ' Don't '. Probably the heaviest/noisiest thing I've ever heard. Truly ear bleeding. Maybe a 2.5.
This was good. Kinda punk. Fun
another one of my "back in the days" memories, not sure if it belongs on the list. but i enjoyed it nevertheless.
can pick it out as Dinosaur Jr from the sound right away, fairly easy listen, loved "Don't"
Last tracks did my nut in
Dinosaur Jr. do one thing, play it loud, and they do that well. Proto-shoegazing grunge, my jam.
an interest combination of hard rock, shoegaze, punk, and grunge that feels like it might have influenced everyone from Nirvana to They Might Be Giants. Ultimately, it's categorized as alternative rock, but the wide range of influence still shows throughout the album in a subtle yet impactful ways.
My instinct is to say generic indie rock but I know it’s actually definitive indie rosck so there you have it.
Decent rock album, just a bit too noisy for my taste, especially “Don’t.” Hard to hear the lyrics.
This was pretty good. Enjoyed, but doubt I will listen to it again.
I've always appreciated the guitar playing of J Mascis. I think the usage of feedback and distortion in the guitar always been the main draw of Dinosaur Jr (Nothing against his vocals, though I think there's actually a charm to his drawl). It's weird, I normally despise noise rock but I'd put Dinosaur Jr. on the fringe of that label as their noise, while in the forefront, isn't completely overwhelming like other acts. Their sound is more melodic and will feature extended solos from time to time. "Bug" probably isn't their greatest album (Mascis doesn't care for it himself, apparently), but the opening track "Freak Scene" is classic Dinosaur Jr. wrapped into one song. Simple and short lyrically with prominent guitar solo breaks to bridge the verses. The rest of the album stays afloat until around the penultimate song or so, then gets a little too wacky for my tastes. The overall body of work isn't bad, though there might be better album representatives for Dinosaur Jr.
I'd heard of this band before but didn't really know anything about them. After listening, they feel like one of those bands that may have influenced a lot of music that I like, but I don't actually like much. Don't was definitely the most memorable track - not sure if that's a good thing or not.
Fav: They Always Come Least Fav: Don’t Vocals didn’t bug me as much as I expected going into this. This album was almost going to bee a 5/5 but the last 2 tracks were not fly, and they brought it down. Other than that, I was buzzing when the other songs were playing
Quite a short one. Many very similar sounding tracks but a few I’d like to hear again. Also a fan of this style. Highlights: Freak Scene Let It Ride Keep the Glove
not my type of rock 1/5
It’s fine. Some albums are just fine. Not bad but nothing I’m in a rush to hear again. Listenable.