Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Good. Without a Sound is better I think.
liked "Kracked" apart from that, it's a wee bit noizy and basic for me.
Abrasive and unpredictable. This records suffers a little in the back but is an awesome sonic journey. I've known about this band for ages but have never given them a listen. I liked this a lot. I sampled some other Dinosaur Jr. tracks and I really like their later stuff.
Solid throughout Standout songs: Sludgefest In a Jar Poledo Just like Heaven
This was great. Honestly hard to believe this is from late 80s
It was alright. Not great, but a good listen.
Can totally hear why these guys were such an influence on so many of the alt/grunge bands of the 90s.
Grunge before there was grunge. Vocals, sometimes drawling, sometimes wailing; guitar fuzz turned up to 11; themes of love, loss and darkness abound. I rather liked it.
No está mal, aunque me dio un poco igual. Muy dosmilero.
Good but doesn't stand out to me. had a lot of guitar solos and weird chord combos I wasn't a fan of.
5/10
Alt rock before it was a thing. Gave me a meh reaction. Mediocre stuff in the long run.
Better than Sebadoh, but too much noise and not enough music here for me, although I liked its loudness and rawness.
Endergetic and interesting. Not a lot of standout tracks but did leave me wanting more. on the 4 side of 3.5.
It was alright I guess
I’m being generous by giving this a 2. Honestly just got worse as it went it started with the most boring typical alt rock songs and by the end it was just the most horrendous guitar sounds. Even the cure cover was ugly as hell.
Ist mir zu laut
I appreciate noisy scratchy rock music, and this is some nice grungey stuff. It is probably objectively bad but I really like the vocals always on Dinosaur Jr. Good band, good album.
I like the name of the album and the band. The music was just noisey and not enjoyable for me. There were parts I liked; the vocals were good but every song I was enjoying would drop into an abrasive distorted guitar part that at best sounded like a talented guitarist playing with a broken amp. 2/10
2/10… alternative rock / grunge
Great
Don't really care for this type of what feels like intentionally a-melodic singing. I know it's a bonus track but the version of "Just Like Heaven" drives the point home -- just give me the Cure version.
This album is heavy, fun, yet full of edge. Loving what's happening here and the guitar-work is on point as expected. The vocals have a bit of a pre-grunge slacker-core thing going on and it honestly just takes me back to listening to Meat Puppets, early Flaming Lips, and other bands of the era. Don't know much about the Dinosaur Jr. but I think they're a real nice time. Wish I would have heard this album earlier in my life, it's style of rock is right up my alley.
Appreciated this more than I enjoyed it. Will probably benefit from repeat listening.
Teilweise ein bisschen abgedrehter Rock.
the songs that werent metal screaming were good
Yes! I love this album. Probably in my top 10 of all time.
Started off ok but just deteriorated for me as it went on… and on. Not for me, shame.
Kracked wasn't too bad. I'm not a huge fan of the vocals. I do like a lot of noise and distortion but some of this is getting to be a bit much for me. Interesting Cure cover on Just Like Heaven, stopped really abruptly. I'm probably at a 2 here.
Did not enjoy this album. Really don't like the vocals. Overall, I heard a sort of proto-Nirvana on this album. For me, this is 1 star. If I objectively listen to the guitar work, however, it bumps it up to 2 stars.
Amazon
This album sounds like someone got a new guitar pedal and then just played grunge spaghetti through it over and over. There's just nothing there for the audience and it's all for the band.
Though often intertwined in the foundations and underpinnings of successful movements, slacker laziness is never appreciated. I struggle to think of musicians less ambitious than J. Mascis. Music from Dinosaur Jr. only got better from here and in 2025, was the highlight of a recent show despite being the opening act.
Not nearly as enjoyable as "Bug." Too much unfocused fuzz.
More Sebadoh than Sonic Youth, I dig it.
I like the guitar a lot. Mascis drops these short licks like a meteorite streaking across the sky. Whoa! And it’s gone. Unfortunately for me, there isn’t a whole lot of structure to the music.
- boring -
Kinda punky
Pretty good
Albumi #33, 30.08.2024 Dinosaur Jr.:n toinen albumi vuodelta 1987. Ehdotonta parhautta. Dinosaurin diskografiassa on muutama helmi ja tämä levy menee ehdottamisti noiden joukkoon. Tämä on vaihtoehtorockin kulmakiviä ja poikkeuksellisen kova suoritus tuohon aikakauteen.
Lame review. Not a lame album.
This album was alright. I'm becoming more aware of a portion of rock that I would describe as 'just a lot of noise'? The last half of Tarpit is a great example. It's a howling noise overlaid with the singer tonelessly repeating the same line. Underneath all that is an obscured guitar track and drums that seems like it may be pleasant, but you wouldn't know. I don't really like having my ears blasted with random noise, and I think I'm just not part of the generation where that was subversive and interesting. The rest of the songs were pretty alright. The vocals were not offensive but also not great, and it sounded like a whole lot of some pretty conventional rock. I did genuinely enjoy a few songs, like Sludgefeast and In a Jar. I probably won't ever listen to this again, but I'd describe it as boring rather than bad? This does not apply to the second half of Tarpit which I don't need to hear. 5/10
Some of my musician friends love this band and I still don't quite see why. It's just ok to my ears.
Ni una canción entera. Too much
i just got into Dinosaur Jr this year! love their stuff
Cool gimmick, but this noisy indie record does feel very much like a gimmick! It's like saying «this is the feeling of being a popular kid with angsty thoughts, and these are a few ways of making that sound».
One great track at the very end, but the rest didn't inspire me.
love the cover art. good whammy.
There’s some good stuff in here but it’s a little lo fi for my taste. Poledo RULES
Came around on this album big time. Gonna give it a three, but could see this being a big grower
Definitely ahead of its time. Some good rock and some weird stuff I’m not that into.
Tried hard, but failed miserably. There‘s no heart in it.
Tarpit, In a Jar, both ok -- the rest not my taste. Poledo was, in particular, disinteresting.
Maybe Dinosaur Sr. would've done a better job.
Great band. Very good album. There were a few bits where I wasn't totally vibing with it, but then it ended with Just Like Heaven cover that I love love love. I'm giving it a second listen today, but for now, it's sitting at a happy 4.
I just love it so much Dino Jr. 4eva ✌🏻
Not for me. Some good parts surrounded by lots of awful parts.
it’s gas as hell bro
Kinda cool but missing something
I tried to listen to it multiple times all the way through and just couldn’t. I feel like I can enjoy the album at a different time , because the general vibe is something I think I’d enjoy, and maybe a sunny afternoon walk wasn’t the place for it. or maybe I just truly don’t like it.
never knew about this, but it was awesome!
One of my favourite albums, sludgy petty noises.
I cant believe what they did to Just Like Heaven
Actually pretty good. Wanna give 4 but not.
2,5
Like an undiscovered Nirvana album. Where was this my whole life?
Amazing music for working at a shop on a rainy spring day.
Chill
It is a lot more exciting than many others but sadly not exciting enough for me to listen to it a lot. So still an average score, but a good one.
I really enjoyed the grimy guitar of this album. It feels like the link between The Replacements and Nirvana. A special nod of approval to the twisted Just Like Heaven cover version.
TODAS AS MUSICAS SÃO IGUAIS NÃO TEM UMA IDENTIDADE MUSICAL
Not quite sure where to go with this one. I was looming forward to it, and ended up quite disappointed. Very little variety in structure, tone, chord progression, etc. The singer apparently hasn't found a note he can't sing flat. The lead guitarist doesn't seem interested in keeping his instrument in tune. But, you can still see why some will think highly of them. It's only Poledo, the second to last song on the album that brings something new to the table, but it's too little too late. And then just Like Heaven really highlights the defincies in their songwriting.
So I never owned any Dinosaur Jr music – nor have I ever listened to them, at least knowingly… As a rock guy, I really appreciated their sound – kinda like an excellent garage band… Not a big fan of the “lo-fi” movement, so if that’s what they were going for, or this was really just a sub-par recording effort, the audio quality was sorely lacking… Nothing was sharp, and a good portion of the album was pretty muddled IMO… That said, I did enjoy a couple of tracks, as the album started out pretty strong, but about 5 tracks in, it definitely started to lose some steam… Best tracks IMO were “Little Fury Things” & “Sludgefeast” – though there were moments of musical goodness throughout the first 6 tracks… Vocally, I thought the dude sounded like a much weaker version of Adam Duritz of “Counting Crows” – but his voice definitely suits the music for sure… Not much diversity in the sound until the slower pace of the 6th track “Tarpit” – so a little variety in tempo would have helped no doubt… After that, it’s like they ran out of material… “In A Jar” was pretty weak, and I have NO idea what they were doing with “Lose” & “Polido” – as they were so disappointing compared to the earlier parts of the album… Also didn’t think I needed to hear a pretty pedestrian version of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” to close the album… All in all, I’m glad I listened – as this is in my wheelhouse, however the audio quality, combined with the fact that it got weaker the longer it went on – and finished in such dreadful fashion, I can’t give it more than a 2…
I think so much about this. The too long won’t write version is that it is really good. But it has issues. 3.5. And 25
Oh nauseating dysphoria pain, with faux chirpy bits. yay! wow sure bring it on. I brought a backpack into which you can pour any left over grating unresolved putrid misery. Hmmm. Its not just the English who musically and politically seek to pick at old scabs and distort things so the suffering repeats. This gets a whole star upgrade for destroying Just Like Heaven (by the Cure?) so hatefully. You got marks for effort and application. Now put out your hand for a stamp. Confession. I skipped from the first to the last track. It seemed best for all concerned. Deux!
Decades have passed since I last heard this album. I was all set to just say “Nice t-shirt / Ordinary record”, but I found when I listened to it that it’s worn pretty well after almost 40 years. On the first half of the album the band is relentless. From Little Fury Things to Raisans, they don’t get out of top gear - Mascis’s guitar work is outstanding. Not sure what Poledo is all about - maybe the band’s Revolution #9? Not sure if Little Fury by The Breeders(2003) was at all influenced by Little Fury Things.
In the late 80s, when I was a teenager, Tim and I were pretty inseparable. We used to hang out a lot in our suburban bedrooms listening to music and occasionally going out to see all-ages punk and hardcore shows. Tim was a skateboarder, but I was never sufficiently coordinated or brave enough to learn. Tim once told me that he suspected he was listening to too much metal and hardcore when he heard Dinosaur Jr's cover of 'Just Like Heaven' on the radio and thought it was the Cure's original (at least until the huge roar comes in at the end of the song). He did buy a copy of this album as a result (probably in 1988) and we played it a lot, even though it turned out that 'Just Like Heaven' wasn't on the original album release. After we left school, I started at uni (unsuccessfully) and working at a record store. Tim, after an initial stint working IT helpdesk at the futures exchange, ended up as the studio manager of 2SER student radio at Macquarie University. We formed a band together and started seeing a lot of live shows. Neither of us was doing well on the girlfriend front so we had a lot of time for music. I know we saw Dinosaur Jr on their 1989 Australian tour. My memory was that was in the student bar at Macquarie Uni, but I can't see a record of them ever playing there. More likely it was at the Lansdowne Hotel (a regular haunt of ours) or the Paddington RSL. I do remember that they were loud as fuck and J Mascis didn't seem overwhelmed to be there. Being young at the time, I don't think I realized how revolutionary this album was. It was one of the first proto-grunge records and was clearly highly influential on shoegaze, especially the way J. leaned on that wah pedal, using it as a broad filter rather than an expression effect like Jimi Hendrix. I copied that particularly trick myself in the terrible band Tim and I formed in during the 90s. And I was seeing a lot of really noisy alternative Australian bands (including a foray into the Evil Star Hotel scene of Black Eye Records and associated bands; Lubricated Goat, Munroe's Fur, Kiss My Poodle's Donkey, Box the Jesuit, Thug, etc), so the heavy noise factor didn't seem that unusual to me. It was a pretty good record that we played a fair bit, and Tim and I thought it was kinda normal. You're Living All Over Me wasn't one of my all-time favourite records, mostly because J. Mascis' laconic deadpan drawl is kind of annoying. But there are a few really great songs on here (Little Fury Things, Sludgefest, In a Jar), and even better if you get the re-issue that has Just Like Heaven on it. Totally worth a listen.
Good album throughout, excellent guitar
No where to collapse the lung Breathes a doubt in everyone
Pretty simple 90s rock. There are some good instrumentals at times and the songs flow well, but there isn't really anything too notable or mind-blowing.
I wanted to like this more - you can see its fingerprints on a lot of post-punk, grunge/noise and indie of the 90s and 00s but I just found it a bit short on tunes and not particularly memorable.
This alternative rock album definitely sounded ahead of its time, with more of a 90s sound so obviously must have been influential on other groups. I really liked it, although I did find the distortion a bit too much as the album went on and tired of it. I suspect this is an album I would like more the more I listened to it, so I gave it a 4. Fave Track: Little Fury Things Rating: 4
This had moments I thought were brilliant (especially the guitars) but the vocals were so weak and it got really annoying by the end
Definitely the type of sounds that are right up my alley. Fairly rough around the edges & the singing leaves something to be desired, but my fuck does it ever rock!
This is pretty enjoyable. I may revisit it occasionally, since I'm seeing them live soon. Probably not part of my regular rotation though
Tenho sentimentos mistos com esse álbum - e com Dinosaur Jr. de forma geral. O som distorcido e caótico das músicas tem momentos muito bons e momentos muito irritantes. Tem uma pegada melancólica na melodia e um timbre maneiro dos instrumentos que aprecio muito na banda, mas achei um álbum cansativo de ouvir. O jeito que o J Mascis canta apesar de caber bem com as músicas progressivamente vai te incomodando.
Grunge starts here.
Okay this is a little bit interesting, a little rough and a little edgy but overall just feels like some neighborhood dudes playing in the garage on a Friday night. 2 stars
You’re Living All Over Me Wasn’t particularly looking forward to this, although I quite like Sebadoh, and I know how influential Dinosaur Jnr are, I wasn’t really in the mood for some American alt rock grunge type stuff. But I did like the first track quite a bit, although the initial yelps did make me think we were in for something painful, but I liked the kind of slackery vibe and easy melody. Kracked is more of the same, a kind of laid back melodic feel with some good guitar noises. I like the opening riff on Sludgefest and the subsequent riffing throughout too. The Lung is good as well, I like the time signature change and some of the guitar at the end is very nice. Raisans is pretty generic alt tock, but again some of the guitar is very nice. Tarpit, again, decent song, nice guitars. In fact that pretty much sums up the rest of the songs, apart from Poledo’s more fragmented and unsettling structure. Although there is a bit of sameness to the songs and he’s not always the strongest vocalist, I like this. It’s much better than I was expecting, with a pleasing home made lofi quality to it too. While it is still in that American alt rock/grunge/noise rock style, I much preferred it to things like Sonic Youth, Soundgarden etc, it’s a bit more interesting with better tunes and generally a better vibe. And it’s good that it comes and goes in about 35 minutes, not outstaying its welcome. It’s not the greatest album I’ve heard, but also far from the worst - for this type of album it’s good. A very solid 3. 🦖🦖🦖 Playlist submission: Sludgefest
A few songs were pretty solid but it's largely not that great. Just noisy rock and "singing" into a mic whichever which way. Hardly as good as people are making it out to be and rivals some dudes playing with their friends on the weekend. Also gotta deduct for putting a cover on the album from The Cure. 4/10.
This album almost got 2 stars purely based on the fact I was able to get through it, but then Poledo came on and I think that may be one of the worst songs of all time. This is trash. Awful vocals, guitar is annoying, and tons of annoying screetching/noises put in just because. 2.5/10 (1.25/5)
Cool album title. Cool album cover. Cool band name. Cool song names. I like the 90’s rock style. it’s really tough to listen to this singer. I don’t think this is a good sounding album. I don’t know why they would put a Cure cover on here but i do like that song and it is better than any of the other songs on the album.
Kinda thought I would like this but I didn’t
This was strange
First listen Saved 7/10 Top track: In A Jar
Can definitely hear how it influenced so many artists that came after.
I didn't think I knew any Dinosaur Jr. songs until about 5 seconds into the first song. I knew "Feel the Pain" and "Start Choppin" but I didn't know the name of either of those songs - just heard them on the radio loads. Anyway, these guys have a very distinctive sound, just grimey enough
Noise rock. ¿Pero qué broma es esta? Un 1.
Better than I expected. Where punk stars to become grunge.
The distortion on the first song gave me a headache.
My poor ears
HOT FUZZZZZ
Amazing music and early grunge style.
I had actually forgotten how much I liked their early ‘90’s stuff. I really didn’t realize that they were around in the ‘80’s. They are much more foundational to the grunge scene than I knew. Thanks, Timmy C!
I get the sense it takes its self too seriously, can't remember what my feelings about the other Dino Jr album were (I feel they were more complimentary) but this was too fuzzed out for my liking
This album made me feel young again for some reason. Is it magic?…..
"I didn't really enjoy ""Bug"", but I found this album to be a bit better. I can see why they were influential more on this album. "
I really felt this was going to be awful after the first 15 seconds but it ended up being a good mix of indie grunge and rock. The guitars were definitely loud and the forefront of the songs. The lyrics weren’t bad and not screamed into oblivion. Overall this was a decent grunge album before the 90s which makes it pretty solid. 6.4/10
За этой грудой каменных искр иногда простирается искренность
Great, but the singing is really bad. The very lo-fi stuff towards the end is also not for me. Favorite song: the lung
I like the sound but generally don’t care for the writing or vocal delivery.
Dinosaur Jr have a few good tracks, none of them are on this album.
I didn't know the role of Dinosaur Jr in shoegaze, but it makes sense after listening to this. It's an album I might have got into as a kid but it's all too late now.
Pas surprise d'y entendre une reprise de Just Like Heaven de The Cure, je vois les parentés dans l'esprit désabusé, la guitare parfois fougueuse, parfois traînante. Belle inventivité dans les textures et les environnements.
Excellent grunge. Love J's voice, but wonder if they would have been more mainstream if his voice wasn't so unconventional.
Very noisy, very energetic. Setting the blueprint for other influential bands that followed
Fun!
# Playlist track - Little Fury Things # Notes - Weird and noisy at times, but have some great riffs. - Kind of remind me of being younger, for some reason. Maybe is the grunge-ness of it all. - This is earlier than bands live Nirvana and Pearl Jam, so must have been super mind-blowing at the time.
I was into this album back in the 90s. The secret is that Dinosaur Jr. write really solid pop songs disguised under layers of grungy guitars and J's super laidback vocals. Juliana Hatfield always said she wanted to cover the entire album and I've always thought that would be thee best way to uncover the pop. But maybe it's better to remain buried under all that sludge.
Dinosaurier Jr
I was obsessed with Dinosaur Jr. - when I was pregnant I went to see them and I knew every word- they meant so much to me - I was coming of age during the time before Nirvana and loved all the American hardcore bands - then got into the Pixies and stuff - I can’t stand the Pixies now- it sounds so contrived and I hate the lyrics but I’ll never stop loving Dinosaur Jr
I usually like alternative music but this is meh.
Decent. Chaotic and noisy but there's an art to it.
some solid indie rock sounds. I can see how these guys had some influence.
Meh
It was very ahead of its time!
I can see this album’s influence on Grunge bands and, therefore, it was worth a listen. Beyond that, it was not as good as those that come after it, especially the vocals, which do not blend well with the rough music. Three plus.
East coast early grunge. I liked it but not enough to go beyond a 3+.
This is alright. It's got that fuzzy, distorted guitar sound and there's a decent amount of melody buried under the noise, which keeps it from being just a headache.
Meh.
Ok. This seems like a grower.
Poor
Punk influence has this record thrown off for me. Could see how/why people would enjoy it back in the 80s but misses the mark.
The guitars gave this album life! I love the diversity of the sound and the listen was enjoyable.
A banger of an album, notwithstanding the slightly unneccesary cover of Cure perfection at the end.
This was honestly better than I thought I’d be. Kinda wanna give it a 5. Fuck it.
J Mascis is a guitar god. Love the noise on this record too. Also gotta love those abrupt endings and the funny cover of Just Like Heaven. Great fucking album
Interesting music. Some of it was quite good, reminded me of Pearl Jam (or at least Eddie Vedder), but some was just noise or very sophomoric. Three stars.
I had previously heard of the artist but was not really familiar with their music. I really enjoyed this. It's rock but I would almost call it proto-grunge. A lot of 90s bands point to Dinosaur Jr. as an influence and I can definitely hear it on this album. I enjoyed pretty much the entire album but my favorite track is probably also the weirdest - Poledo, which is almost like Revolution 9 meets the AM radio beginning of Wish You Were Here. Will definitely listen to this album again.
Too many random noises not enough actual music
The super power of this band is to make other bands sounds so good. As I listened I kept thinking how great Pearl Jam and Nirvana were. After enduring a few songs that sounded like the neighbor's kids playing in their garage, I jumped to their most played song Just Like Heaven, a cover of the Cure's. It made me crave the original.
Dinosaur Jr. is one of those bands I never paid much attention to until the last few years. For some reason, I always thought they sounded much different than what I discovered once I finally gave them a chance. When I started listening, I was shocked by all the distortion and feedback that define their trademark sound, and the raw punk energy in some of their tracks really caught me off guard. Overall, their format features melodic, prominent bass lines with a wall of distorted feedback and noise layered on top, giving it a raw and gritty edge. Despite this, I also view Dinosaur Jr. as a good beginner’s guide to noise rock. Even though they’re raw, noisy, gritty, and filled with feedback, they balance it out with an element of refinement.
Nirvana .5
proto-grunge, sellainen cobain äänensävy kaverilla paitsi kuulostaa huomattavasti ärsyttävämmälle sekä musiikki on melodioiltaan ja produktioiltaan täyttä kuraa eikä tosiaan kovin kuunneltavaa musiikkia nyt tullut tänäänkään vastaan, huonoa jatkumoa pidetään yllä tällähetkellä kun ei sinne keskiarvon positiivisen puolelle oikeen saada yhtään tavaraa... dinosaurukset kuolivat 65 miljoonaa vuotta sitten, ehkä juniorin aika on nyt... antaa kuolla.. ottakaa pois listoilta.. ottakaa pois sivuilta... haudatkaa syvälle.. ja unohtakaa.. unohtakaa lopullisesti... nimittäin toinen albumi tältä ryhmältä on ehkä kaksi liikaa, toivotaan että ei joudu uudestaan kokemaan näiltä herrasukoilta lisää.. kracked
Solid album. Better then a lot of other slacker rock. They sound great live too.
4/5
This is a great album cover. The songs are perfectly okay. "Poledo" stands out, I suppose, at least the beginning. Good discordant acoustic vibe, good lyrics. But the whole thing just involves a little too much gimmicky playing with radio-tuning interference sound effects and whatnot.
Både og ass
Oof, this was a tough one. There were many things that were good, but also many things that were quite bad. I thought you could hear some early seeds of late 90s or early 00s skate punk in there. But that good core was mostly disturbed - if not entirely destroyed - by overuse of distortion and bad mixing. Examples of this is 'Sludefest', 'Tarpit' around 3:20 where the guitar overpowers the song completely with its screeching, and 'In a Jar' where the open hat is so ear piercing it's ridiculous. If they would've toned some things down and mixed it better it could get a strong 3 perhaps, but now I feel like it's a deadshot 2. Also, the singing wasn't the best, and sometimes fell apart and was out of tune.
A pretty bland album. I liked some of the noisier tracks and enjoyed the guitar riffs. I didn't like the vocals though which I found nasal and whiny sometimes. It is very close to good but for some reason just stops shy of that and ends up being something I didn't really enjoy and hoped for it to end. I don't think the vocals are the only thing to blame but it just fails to stick the landing and becomes the 2. Was a fan of the "Just like Heaven" cover except the chanting background vocals which were mixed way to loud.
Wow. The only song I had heard in the 90s was “Feel the Pain” so I hadn’t heard their other material. I instantly connected to this anlbum after the first three. The group vocals on track 1 were a nice feel, the fuzz guitar on Kracked was SO good. They’re fantastic at the fuzz. The noise at the end on Tarpit, the exploding solo on Kracked at 1ish.
Lol whoa, is that really how Just Like Heaven ends?? Just learned this wasn't a The Cure song! Loved this album. I'd only ever heard Kracked prior from a Toy Machine video. I was born in 1987. Getting lost in a daydream of what life would be like if my folks were Dino Jr fans
I wonder if there is a band called dinosaur snr. Album was OK
The only thing I hate about this album is how late it arrived in my life. It is perfect. Can you imagine listening to it when it was released around the late 80s? You'd be the coolest person in your city.
What a mismatch of vocals to music. How do you sound so low energy and have such intense tempo behind you? It also manages to meander for way too long in places, and sometimes throws in loud jarring noise out of nowhere (The Lung in particular). This put me in a bad mood.
I just don’t think I like Dinosaur Jr
A bit of an oddball record overall, but inoffensive and decent to listen to
Noisy alt-rock with minimal substance. I like feedback in a rock album like the next guy, but this album had a significant amount of noise. Not a huge fan of the vocals, but some of the tracks were better than others. Highlight was "SludgeFeast." This was fine, but that's it.
Just a whole bunch of meh for me. I can understand how this sound influenced some later artists, but it's just haphazard and really not my bag
Better than expected, his singing voice is not my cup of tea, i get the appeal though. But what makes this album is the distorted guitars and drums.
I can see how this album (and sound) would pave the way for a lot of the 90s and 00s hard rock/grunge bands. But I'm happy those later bands came along, because I didn't particularly enjoy the sound on this record. Some of the riffs are energetic and forceful, but I do not like the singers voice at all. And I really feel like it takes away from what could otherwise be a much better album. Top tracks: SludgeFest, Tarpit
Way too monothematic for me. At first it reminded me of certain grunge bands, but in the end... meh...
J Mascis...more like...J Massacre...amiright? Unfortunately you have to wait until the final track to get the best track, and it's the Cure cover that just...ends. I have always like the ingredients that make up this band, but the final dish is not my flavor at all. It's like throwing pizza, tacos, burgers and sushi all into a bowl and saying bon appétit!
Fuzzed-out guitar interplay and nasally melodies abound, yet nothing memorable comes out of the distorted wash.
I had no idea what or who Dinosaur Jr. was not on my radar. This was fine for me. Competent musicians and easy to listen to.
Okay album. Nothing too catchy, but good background listening.
Not bad but the lead singer's voice really drags this whole thing down.
Ugh, Dinosaur Jr. And by "ugh," I mean "I really want to like these guys, but I wish I were listening to Sonic Youth instead." I gave Bug a pretty lukewarm review a while ago, so I didn't have super high hopes for this album. Suffice to say, my middle of the road expectations were met. This album is full of noisy guitars, good drum fills, and plenty of time changes. These guys are great at what they do, and it's really obvious that their influence has been felt in alternative rock and shoegaze, but their sound just wears thin on me after a while. I don't mind noisy and distorted music, but I like tend to like things that are more melodically driven. Did I like this album? Not really. Can I understand why it's on this list and why people like it? Absolutely.
I never really listened to Dinosaur Jr. but always loved the band name. They’re pretty cool! Rough and sloppy alt-rock / grunge. A lot of catchy melodies alongside the hard rock jamming. Not a standout album for me but the music has a gritty energy and I’d be down to check out another album by them. I like this album cover a lot. It's very memorable.
Cool sound, went by kind of fast. Sounds like harsher indie rock Daniel Johnston. I like how they aren't afraid to have some more dissonant and edgy sounds on the production side. My friend Jake recently did a songwriting camp with J Mascis and said it went really well. The guy has a lot of good ideas and unique approaches to force creativity. It's a 3 for me. I don't want to call it forgettable, but it needs a single or two or something that makes me want to say "oh I need to hear that one song again!" Album cover is cool!
I couldn't finish it....
Prehistoric. 3
I'm impressed that this cam out in the late 80s and sounds so much like early-mid 90s grunge and even some late 90s alt-rock. I had never heard this before, but it gives the impression that a lot of people in Seattle heard it during their formative years. I liked the album. I'm giving it a bump for being (more than likely) an influential force on the 90s.
Yllätyin että Dinosaur jr. on näinkin vanha bändi (levyssä kuuluu enemmän ysäri kuin kasari) ja että biisit ovat näin melua. Melua kuitenkin enemmän indie- kuin punk-tavalla (mikä edelläkävijä!). Vähän liikaakin, koska en kuule räminän alta biisejä, vain muminaa. Kivasta tunnelmasta yksi tähti.
Biisit eivät tarvitse paljoa sisältöä, kun taustalla on kokeilevan raskas kitarasoundi. Tai niin tämä bändi uskoo. Tosiasiassa raskaus levittäytyy myös kuuntelukokemukseen, eivätkä koukkuisuuden kiteytymät (esim. Raisans) täysin pelasta sitä. 2,5.
Great noise rock album, has grown on me a lot. 4/5
This is heavy proto-grunge, negatively focused on the whole, challenging, noisy, and weird. What was happening in Massachusetts in the late 80s? This is what "indie" used to be. Much less of an attempt to be popular through hooky songwriting tropes. More from the heart and about as underground as you want to be without disappearing completely. I don't dislike this era, sort of underground American post-post-punk - I don't know. Definitely not for everyone. A bit in that Minutemen/Hüsker Dü/Meat Puppets vein. A lot more dismal and introspective though.
01) Little Furry Things - 7,5 02) Kracked - 7,0 03) SludgeFeast - 6,5 04) The Lung - 7,0 05) Raisans - 7,0 06) Tarpit - 5,5 07) In a Jar - 6,5 08) Lose - 6,0 09) Poledo - 4,0 10) Just like Heaven - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,30 (63/100) Yesterday I was reading reviews for David Gray's "White Ladder" and one person said that if you click anywhere on the album you wouldn't recognize which song is playing because they are all the same... How is this one any different? And yes, whilst David Gray probably influenced the boring people like Blunt or Sheeran this might have inspired Nirvana or Pearl Jam. I would definitely rather listen to Nirvana than Ed Sheeran, but I would also prefer David Gray to Dinosaur Jr.
1001 albums to die before listening to. How is there so much grunge on this list. Please… make the grunge stop. PPLEASE. Potentially the worst album I’ve listened to so far.
Droney indie.
It's like being smothered by a blanket made of psychedelic concrete. I think my love for this album is multifaceted. Without this, we don't get My Bloody Valentine and shoegaze. We don't get a band like Nirvana, and most of the nineties more than likely. It's also just... beautifully noisy. It sounds so loose, but every note feels like it is where it needs to be. Bite me. I've seen Dinosaur Jr. before and enjoyed them, but man, maybe I should've just listened to them before. Favorite tracks: "Sludgefeast", "Tarpit"
Was served entrees of silly hard rock like Anthrax and then okay, but not really interesting albums by Sheryl Crow, Run DMC, Joni Mitchell, and today it is time for the main meal: Dinosaur JR. Yes, USA does have bands that make you feel alive, Husker Du, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers and.... Dinosaur Jr. Like the painful way of singing, the thrilling rhythms, the grungy noise.
This was a hard listen. Not many songs clicked, and the lead singer’s voice was grating. Even the most accessible song which is good, the cover of “Just Like Heaven” isn’t as good as the OG. Just meh overall.
Reminds me of mercury rev (maybe mercury rev should remind me of this?)
**Lyrics:** The lyrics on "You're Living All Over Me" are introspective and often cryptic, delivered with a sense of detachment that adds to the album's overall atmosphere. Themes of alienation, longing, and disillusionment permeate tracks like "Little Fury Things" and "In a Jar." J Mascis' understated vocal delivery allows the listener to project their own emotions onto the songs, creating a sense of universality in the themes explored. **Music:** The music on this album is characterized by its swirling layers of distorted guitars, propelled by Lou Barlow's melodic basslines and Murph's tight drumming. J Mascis' guitar work is particularly noteworthy, with his signature blend of fuzzy, feedback-laden riffs and soaring solos. Tracks like "The Lung" and "Kracked" showcase the band's ability to seamlessly blend elements of punk, noise rock, and psychedelia into a cohesive sonic assault. **Production:** Produced by Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, "You're Living All Over Me" has a raw and unpolished sound that perfectly complements the band's aesthetic. The mix is dense and immersive, with the guitars pushed to the forefront, creating a wall of noise that envelops the listener. While some may find the lo-fi production charming, others may find it abrasive or inaccessible. **Themes:** The album explores themes of disillusionment, longing, and existential angst, reflecting the alienation felt by many young people coming of age in the late '80s. Songs like "Raisans" and "Poledo" delve into feelings of isolation and disconnect, while tracks like "Sludgefeast" and "Tarpit" channel a sense of frustration and aggression. Despite the darkness of the subject matter, there's also a sense of catharsis in the music, as if the act of creating and performing these songs is a form of therapy for the band. **Influence:** "You're Living All Over Me" has had a significant influence on the alternative rock genre, inspiring countless bands with its blend of noise, melody, and emotion. Its impact can be heard in the work of bands like Sonic Youth, Pavement, and Nirvana, who would go on to bring alternative rock to the mainstream in the early '90s. The album's legacy continues to resonate today, with its noisy, introspective sound serving as a touchstone for a new generation of musicians. **Pros:** 1. Raw energy: The album crackles with an infectious energy that grabs the listener from the opening chords and doesn't let go until the final notes fade away. 2. Emotional depth: Despite its abrasive sound, "You're Living All Over Me" is imbued with a sense of emotional vulnerability that makes it resonate on a deeper level. 3. Guitar work: J Mascis' guitar playing is nothing short of masterful, combining technical prowess with raw emotion to create some of the most memorable riffs and solos in alternative rock history. **Cons:** 1. Production: While some listeners may appreciate the lo-fi production aesthetic, others may find it off-putting or inaccessible. 2. Lack of variety: The album's relentless barrage of fuzzy guitars and pounding drums can feel monotonous at times, with few moments of respite or variation in tempo. 3. Cryptic lyrics: While the album's lyrics are evocative and poetic, they can also be frustratingly cryptic, leaving the listener to decipher their meaning on their own. In conclusion, "You're Living All Over Me" is a seminal album that has left an indelible mark on the alternative rock landscape. Its blend of fuzzy guitars, introspective lyrics, and raw energy continues to resonate with listeners decades after its release. While its lo-fi production and cryptic lyrics may not be to everyone's taste, there's no denying the emotional depth and musical innovation on display. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the world of alternative rock, this album is essential listening.
Grunge at its finest.
My only exposure to Dinosaur Jr. was their cover of The Cure's Just Like Heaven (which happens to close this album). So I knew it was going to be kind of punk and kind of weird, but I wasn't prepared for how weird. This album started out okay and got progressively stranger and noisier. It started out sounding sort of like a mix between a punkier Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. The first few songs were pretty fun, then the middle of the album sort of blended together with several songs that sounded similar. It started getting weird around Tarpit. The second to last song was a bizarre art/noise piece, and then the album ended with the aforementioned Cure cover. The worst part of this band is the singer. My God, is his voice irritating. He makes Eddie Vedder seem like Pavarotti. I'm also not sure if they intentionally played with meter on The Lung, or if the drummer is just that bad at keeping time. Regarding the cover, I'm kind of conflicted about it. When I first heard it I hated it, but I have to admit that it's growing on me. I know it's Robert Smith's favorite cover, and I'm guessing it's because the screamo chorus is just so out of nowhere that it's kind of hilarious — that's definitely something Robert would get a kick out of (I'm also pretty sure he changed the way he sings the "Why are you so far away" line live because of this cover, which I'm kind of mad about). I'll give it a 3 because it started out decent and the cover is kind of fun. But the singer and the back half ruin it.
This is really a bunch of noise to me. I don’t really enjoy this type of music. 2/5
Nothing special here.. from an overrated band.
Good stuff.
i love dinosaur jr
Cool
grunge precursor
Is not a bad album. I want to like it, but it somehow just falls flat. Maybe it's the lethargic singer. I love the crunch and the melody, but each song seems to drone on without any real changes. I was so conflicted by this one that I had to pause my albums so I could give this one a closer listen a few times. I just can't get into it but it's ok.
Never saw the appeal here as a mid 90s teen. Amazing how prospective changes. I'm a big noise rock fan now and this is nothing less than a seminal entry in to grunge catalog. This is super melodic and filthy at the same time.
Noise rock. ¿Pero qué broma es esta? Un 1.
When I heard this album all those years back, I couldn't do too much with it (that voice!) and it started to feel a bit boring after the 4th song. So where I followed bands like The Melvins, this band never stayed really with me. But I'm glad I now gave it a second listen. And then a third. And at the time of writing this, now my fifth. And I'm completely converted. The lo-fi wall of rock noise jumps straight into your living room, the unpolished but virtuoso solos are making you sit up and an immense creativity in the songwriting just adds to it. Even the voice adds to the sound. What a landmark in rock history!
I was never really into these guys, but they were definitely a big influence. This is 1990s rock in the 1980s
Should’ve listened sooner
Completely shit
Shit
Very cool and rowdy album. I can't believe this is a mid 80s album. It sounds so far ahead of it's time and comparable to a lot of punk rock/rock of the mid 90s. I don't know there was a standout song for me, but definitely a cool album.
Звучит как идеальный альбом Нирваны в голове у Курта)).Смесь лоу фая и грязного гаражного звука, то за счет чего будут блистать ню метал и гранж спустя несколько лет после выхода этой пластинки. Мне такой звук по душе, нахожу эти нойзовые аранжировки, вкупе с вокальными партиями переходящими от крика к шепоту и эмокорным завываниям; очень искренними и настоящими. А традиционная легкая поп структура только добавляет обаяния. Желание переслушать возникает буквально сразу как заканчивается крайняя песня в треклисте. По итогу: круто, эмоционально, и по настоящему живо.
Mix an absolutely disgusting voice by the main singer together with incredibly boring riffs and some wild screams and guitar solos and we have Dinosaur Jr. I really don't like their music, and every album I listen to on this list just reminds me every reason I hate it. It's not as bad as some other incomprehensible records from the list, but it's definitely a mood-killer.
Listened to this while playing Imperium Classics. The game is still in progress. This reminded me of a college roommate who LOVED Dinosaur Jr. I was kinda meh about it. As I've aged, the meh has aged into a meh+.
I was going to say that I didn't get the hate or the love this album (or the band in general) gets, but then I hit the cover of Just Like Heaven that gets CUT OFF BEFORE THE END. But really, it's just a pretty average indie rock band with some experimentation.
I appreciate all the positive reviews of this album, but for me it was a real chore to listen to.
not my utter fave dinosaur jr album to be honest but i do think it's fun. a lot of good intros that turn into songs that sound the same by the end and it would be 3 stars if not for poledo.
An album I’ve been meaning to listen to that I’m glad I finally got to! Supposedly very influential in the alternative and grunge scene and I can hear its later influencers throughout the album. Love the use of distortion and the voice to match which reminds me of mark kozelek. So chaotic yet soothing.
Talented musicians. This was definitely an influence on the grunge movement, but it didn't really do much for me. A lot of noise but not a lot of direction.
I had to restart this halfway through, not because I loved it, but because I realized I was listening to it wrong. Listening to it as a 46 year old, Little Fury Things started and I thought “oh no, please get better” and it didn’t. I restarted it after I realized Violent Femmes / Nirvana / Candlebox loving 16 year old me would have unabashedly adored this album. Like fling-myself-on-the-bed-with-the-album-on-repeat adored. That said, I’m currently 46 and this was a solid 2. I’m gonna give it one extra star in homage to my teen music tastes.
I managed to miss this band because my weird brain had somehow merged them with Jurassic 5 (I guess there is a prehistoric theme going on there...). When I read 'Dinosaur Jr', my brain instantly gave me "playground tactics, no rabbit in a hat tricks..." So quite surprised to put on the album and hear noise rock rather than hip hop! A good surprise though - I listened to it three times in a row and will definitely check out their other stuff.
music is mostly o.k., but i don't like the singing .
There’s a lot to like here, the instrumentals are good, but I’m deducting points for how unbearably noisy it sounds a lot of the time. Maybe it’s the style, but that’s not for me.
Only heard a handful of the tracks off this one before. It has the energy of going to see a local band you've heard about or know somebody in, and you're maybe a little apprehensive, but then the show rules, just absolutely rules. Later Dinosaur Jr. is catchier, this has more wild spirit. Rating is relative to this list and for being from 1987. Would probably not be a 5 on the list of underground albums to hear before you die, but it is here. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
Dang this rocks. Less ear wormy than some other Dinosaur Jr, but I can’t complain about a record that shows off Mascis as a guitar guy, which this one does.
Punk, laut, 1987 -> 1
Banger tracks. I had not much high hopes when I heard the first track with too much distortion, but, it was just clearing my ears for the music later.
Menoa ja meisinkiä, helppoa kuunneltavaa. Kaikki biisit ei ollut hittejä, mutta ei siellä mitään suurempia hutejakaan ollut. Perushyvä.
Pääosin huonolaatuista meteliä. Kuuntelihan tuon kuitenkin
Great album. Used to listen to Dinosaur Jr way back when but never had this album - feel like going back in time to tell myself to fuck whatever else I was listening at that point and to go and buy this album
er óviss. gef þessu annan séns. 3,5.
The sound quality is lacking on this album, but perhaps that makes it a bit more "punk"? It's actually really well polished musically and lyrically it's not as bad as some punk can be.
Interesting music. Can definitely hear influences on most rock of the early 90s, from Smashing Pumpkins to Drive By Truckers
Mycket ljud. Men ändå melodiskt. På gränsen till en fyra. Men efter 2-3 lyssningar tycker jag nog ändå att det lossnade.
Stökigt men ändå rätt bra, bortsett från sången som drar ned. Svag fyra.
I loved it, but it wasn’t special. If this was the best of their music I understand why they weren’t more popular. The music itself was great and has great potential, but the production value was not there.
4.3 - Mascis is a godfather and architect of the 90s alternative guitar sounds that I loved so much as a teenager and it’s amazing to hear this 1987 record that lays that foundation.
Started to enjoy it and then some/ a lot of the songs became fairly chaotic and impenetrable- particularly on first listen. Not an enjoyable experience by on large but had its moments. I’m sure I’m in the minority but sadly just didnt get it.
Too slow it was putting me to sleep at work lol
Still don’t get the hype
3.5* I like the album cover and the band name and overall it was a solid, enjoyable album
This one was a good time. I like the diy garagey feel and all the funky guitars. Would probably listen again
Popular at college radio but vocals are not deserving of attention.
I thought I would hate ”You’re Living All Over Me” after hearing J.Mascis live. He overused feedback and distortion. But it’s actually okay. It’s kinda, tactile? I think Dinosaur Jr’s music was created for you to feel each note. The guitars remind me of The Ramones and Motörhead. J Mascis with his droning/monotone vocals has a Neil Young touch (J cites Nick Cave as an influence, which I can hear as well). This is an eighties album that sounded way ahead of its time. Perhaps shaping what was to come with 90’s grunge. It’s not my thing, however I feel that at least one Dinosaur Jr needs to be on the list. Overall: 6/10
"You're Living All Over Me" is the second srudio album by American alternative band Dinosaur Jr. A good description of the music is "drawling vocals with loud guitars and driving rhythms." Critics have hailed this album as a high point in American rock at this time connecting 80's alternative rock to the grunge and shoegazes genres. The band is J Mascis (guitars, vocals), Lou Barlow (bass, vocals) and Murph (drums). A wha-wah swirling and fuzzy guitar open "Little Fury Things." Echoes screams sounding like they're underwater. The song's meaning is blurry but maybe about a stalker. On "Sludgefeast," J Mascis layers his distorted, feedback infested guitars. Deep bass and drums. You couldn't get this from the title but he's trying to connect with a girl. "The Lung" was the first Dinosaur Jr. song I heard. It sounds great. A bass start, melodic guitars and then it takes off fast. Various guitar solos and breaks. I have no idea what this is about. "In a Jar" has a quick drum opening. The bass and rhythm guitar carrying the melody. Interesting lyrics as it tells the relationship of a pet and human from the pet's perspective. The last song "Poledo" has Lou Barlow on lead vocals and the ukulele. There's handclaps and the song breaks down midway through and we get 2 1/2 minutes of feedback and weird noises. Maybe, it's their attempt at pyschedelia. This album is lo-fi, slacker and raw and I love it. Mascis' guitar takes off at just about any time. He uses lots of feedback and distortion: hence, the influence on shoegaze. I know I mentioned this on the "Bug" review but Barlow and Murph are more than able to keep up with Mascis and sometimes steal the song. A hard call, but definitely up near the top of Dinosaur Jr.'s catalog.
great musicians.....not great vocalist...would have given them 2 more stars but the singer,ya know what...if ya can't say somethin' nice
Kinda depressing, but can hear the influence of modern punk.
Top shelf 90s rock. Great melodies, playing and overall just very enjoyable. Very close to a 5
Dehä e no classic banger men ja gillar int sludgefeast eller tarpit!
Terrible
Love love love. See my thoughts on the last Dino Jr record we did. Wow can you imagine if we get even more Dino Jr on this list? What a treat.
This was great. It was far more creatively strange, oddball, experimental than I thought it was going to be, 10 minutes in. Some weird tape experiments, strange overdubs. But mostly I feel a fondness for this record because it sounds like so many of the grunge/punk bands of my hometown, just what was in the air in Massachusetts at the time. It's got a really nice, homey sound that, if you grew up around this, just makes you feel kind of cozy and a little nostalgic? It's a nice kind of jagged sound blanket. And it's more creative and listenable than the last Dinosaur Jr. album we had! Kind of surprising that this was as influential as it was, I can't get a sense of whether this was a breakthrough sound for the time or not, because it just sounds so characteristic of some parts of my childhood. Just sonically, it gets a little repetitive and kind of dull-feeling. And there's a way in which the roughness and super DIY feeling of the album becomes kind of a turnoff after a while. It just doesn't have a great sound– just the record sonics– that a lot of the good grunge bands we've had on this list share. A little hollow-feeling. Still, kind of nostalgic and had a fun time with it. 3/5
I would never have guessed this album was from the 80’s. It felt very modern. Really enjoyed this.
Mmmmm... wooshy guitars. Mmmmmm lofi recordings. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm the most delicious type of noise.
some people are calling the first songs "a slow start," but those might be my fav part of the album. the vocals are not exactly great – which does take away a bit from the songs, unlike in some cases where bad vocals fit the music or the vocalist, despite being a bad singer, is an irreplaceable frontman and the soul of the band. but the instruments slap
Crazy that this is an 80s album. Sounds super ahead of its time. People always talk about how Dinosaur Jr. influenced the next wave of alt rock and grunge, but I think it goes a bit further than that. Emo bands basically stole this whole sound. Especially some of the more math rock-inspired emo bands that would come later like American Football and Mineral. Even the vocal delivery is similar. Anyways, this record is super cool. The only thing is that I wish it was produced better, but I suppose that adds to the charm.
I really liked about half of this album. And it's pretty obvious that this was a massive influence on most, if not all, of the alt rock (grunge) of the early 90s. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pavement - they're all in here. This album generally sounds really great: lots of distortion but great melody and some killer riffs. Really loved the cover of The Cure.
I had no idea Dinosaur Jr has been around this long! I do like some of their newer stuff, so I'm excited to listen to their second album. Some really good pop-punk/alt/rock here. Kracked is a great song with some really interesting sonic choices. Sludgefeast is a really catchy song as well. There are a few moments on the album that drag or don't click with me initially, but this is definitely an album I'll return to. 4/5
Dinosaur Jr. is one of my favorite bands. I don't love J Mascis's voice, but they rock hard enough that it doesn't matter. The two Barlow songs at the end stick out, but the rest of the album is so good it doesn't matter.
Sludgefest, The Lung, Tarpit, Just Like Heaven all good. Love this. Solid grungy The Pillows/Guitar Vader vibes.
yeh, was okay. Reminded me of Cap'n Jazz a little on some tracks.
Fun pick
I really wanted to like it, but I just wasn't feeling this one
You can hear grunge being born on this album. Amazing.
I texted my wife, "Pretty standard pre-grunge, punk-adjacent, late 80s/early 90s anti-glam rock. Sounds like a band Cobain would have loved." Says it all.
It's ok, sounds very punky and heavy for me
Noisy in a good way. The Pixies and The Beavis Frond come to mind. This is the first album so far in this list I've listened to more than once. The cover of Just Like Heaven might be my favorite version of the song I've ever heard.
No thank you
Fantastic. Heavy, but fun pop noise rock. Still limp wristed and ineffectual as was a lot of music from this age, but really great. I think I appreciate it more now as a middle aged human than I did back then
This was fun, made me want to find more of their albums
I really enjoyed rocking out to this whilst driving. Lots of driving, shrieking guitars and terrible (yet fitting) vocals. 3.5 stars
Good
Bad in many ways, but also catchy as hell. What a weird combo.
First listen I wasn't a fan of the vocals, but it grew on me on the second listen. J Mascis just put out a really great solo album called "What Do We Do Now?" that I fell in love with. All's to say, hadn't previously been a Dinosaur Jr. fan, but might be becoming one. 4/5!
No.
Mest bara oljud i mina små öron.
Not what I thought Dinosaur Jr would sound like. That’s not a bad thing, but also not a good thing, it’s just a thing.
I had some clever things written here but I guess I didn't click save and they dissapeared. Was not a fan of this album, the distorted music and vocals didn't get me, and found me often skipping.
Damn, okay. Our second from Dinosaur Jr., and it's a marked improvement for me. Just like the first time around, a very grunge-y, DIY rock sound, but somehow with these really great melodies that just barely float over the mix. There's obvious musicianship here, excellent guitar work, but in combination with the drums and bass it all creates a sort of garage-punk "wall of sound," shout out to Phil Spector. Not sure if it's the mixing or mastering that creates that effect, but it's really cool. It's like witnessing a caveman create fire, some flash of brilliance and beauty surrounded by noise. The vocals aren't spectacular, but they don't need to be. Then there's the left-field noisy odyssey "Poledo," a great way to close out the album. And I know it's not technically a part of the album, but a cover of the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" as a bonus track is really cool, I have to keep that in here because I realize that Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me isn't on this list for some odd reason. Anyway, yeah, excellent album. Not sure how many others they have like this, but I'm definitely a fan of this, it works really well. Favorite tracks: Kracked, The Lung, Raisans, Tarpit, Poledo, Just Like Heaven. Album art: Really cool sketch of what, maybe two men joined at the head. Conjoined twins? No idea. But the art style is perfectly fitting, as DIY and frankly bare and elemental as the music. Text is great too. 4.5/5
Too busy. Noisy.
Reminded me pretty quickly of Husker Du, who’d been playing for 5 years or so when these guys got together…will need a closer listen to sort out how lyrics compare, content- and poetry-wise
Fun, easy, accessible stoner rock. I love that J Mascis is comfortable being exactly who is - pitchiness and all!
Honestly im not crazy about Dinosaur JR at all. I think they got some good jams but they make me feel like a mopey sad beta boy with low T.
Dinosaur Jr.'s 2nd album is perhaps the best album of the. Even better than the upcoming brilliant 'Bug' it still is one of the best albums of the late 80s. Simply a beauty after all these years.
Best Song: Raisans. Great guitar solo and the right balance of noise and angst. Worst Song: The Lung. A totally ordinary jam. Overall: The noisy and grungy variation of dad rock. Music to wear flannel, sip beer, and nod your head along to.
Tight fuzzt rock. Not many solos? Raisan tight. Cure cover tight. Poledo long and annoying
I liked it more and more as it went along. I feel like it was probably the inspiration for a lot of things to follow which also makes hard to hear in the context of its release. I could see liking it more on repeat listens.
Not for me
90s flashbacks!! It was good for the memories...
Gave it a minute before quitting. I'm sure it got better, but not 100%
they really invented their own sound i just can’t abide that loser vibe
Such a powerful album! A bit noisy yet also some dreamy moments. When they rock, they bring the rock! Standout tracks: Little Fury Things, Kracked, SludgeFeast, Tarpit, In A Jar, Lose 8,5 out of 10
I can stand noise in music, and this album has a lot of it, but I didn't like the vocals or the songwriting style.
Meio perturbador, mas até que eu gostei
Precursor do grunge? Sensa, vou ver outras músicas deles dps
A good example of what the regular rock lacks. Imo they went a bit too hard on randomness, sometimes it added to the songs, many times it didn't Poledo made me think "damn this was great I want to listen to the whole album again". Twice. It's simply that great
My favourite parts were the screams of death and the wails of the decaying souls in Tarpit, and Toledo. Toledo really elevated this album from a 2 to a 3 "Poledo made me think "damn this was great I want to listen to the whole album again"." same
its american shoegaze!
What the fuck did I just listen to? It felt like I was listening to a group of teenagers play in their parents garage. The singer didn't add anything, the guitar was decent but felt more loud at times than enjoyable. It wasn't all negative though, the album was only 38 minutes so it ends before your ears can bleed.
Liked the guitar on most songs, which seemed to be a big focus of this record. The singer doesn't have a great voice, but it's unique and oddly fitting to the music they make. I can hear a lot of the influence modern indie music has had from this group. Solid album but not one I'd recommend unless I knew the person's taste
I liked Dinosaur Jr. more when I was young.
It is fine. The last song is really good.
Like it. Don't love it. the Just like heaven was nice at the end.
I understand the impact this had on grunge but that doesn't make it that good. 2.5
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Raisans
I enjoyed this album a lot, some parts were experimental, and I think it paid off.
Glorious noise rock that is reminiscent of Pixies, but is really out in it's own universe. A decidedly low fi kind of recording, with lots of screaming guitar. Was originally familiar with the cover of Just Like Heaven. All the songs except Poledo left a brutal ringing in my ears. After a few listens I've gotten accustomed to the sound and it gets better on each listen - finding the melodies buried in the din. The Lung and In a Jar, along with Little Fury Things are my favorites.
I'm only vaguely familiar with their work. I see what they were going for with their proto-grunge sound, with a bit of experimentation thrown in the mix.
Know it