Dinosaur Jr. – ‘Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not’

Few bands can say they have had the impact and influence on the alternative music world like Dinosaur Jr. Since their inception in the mid 80s, J Mascis has become the unassuming poster boy for slacker rock, and one of the greatest guitar players in history thanks to his signature style. His seemingly endless ability to write consistently great songs has earned Dinosaur Jr. widespread acclaim, and regardless of the ups and downs the band has faced, their legacy is almost second to none.

After a period of inactivity the original line up of Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph, revived Dinosaur Jr with their 2005 comeback album, ‘Beyond’, which was a staggering return to form. Given the somewhat volatile nature of the band, there was always a question mark as to how long this reunion was going to last. Over 10 years and three albums later, the trio are still going strong. While their sound has often been imitated, their eleventh studio album, ‘Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not’, shows that no one does it better.

Naturally, ‘Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not’ ticks off every box of Dinosaur Jr’s “ear-bleedin’ country” checklist that you expect it to. The guitars riffs are thick and drenched in fuzz through ‘Goin’ Down’ and ‘Tiny’, broken up by screeching, dissonant guitar solos that only Mascis can make listenable. Accompanied by his trademark lackadaisical drawl, tracks like ‘Good To Know’ and ‘Mirror’ are delivered with the stoned romanticism that makes his unconventional vocals so appealing.

Even though Mascis gives off this laid back persona, its no secret that the other members have had trouble working with him in the past. That is evidently water under the bridge now, as bass player Lou Barlow takes the lead on ‘Love Is…’ and ‘Left/Right.’ Both written by Barlow, they bring out the Neil Young influence that has peppered Dinosaur Jr’s work for years. Coupled with the heavy-handed drumming of Murph, which veers between frantic and vibrant at each turn throughout the record, you feel that all three of them are working together as tighter unit than ever before.

Everyone surely will have their favourite periods of Dinosaur Jr. Some probably prefer the more punk driven sound of their earlier material, but ‘Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not’ would have found perfect place among their 90s era of ‘Green Mind’, ‘Where You Been’, and ‘Without a Sound.’ It is easily the best record they have released since their comeback, and builds on the legacy of this timeless, unmistakable band.

GLEN BUSHELL