Dinosaur Jr., Lou Barlow and The Missingmen
Friday, October 16, 2009
Headliner’s Music Hall
Better than: Any experience in my life leading up to this show.

One thing I’ve learned about Headliners is that they really don’t give a doodle about your age. Although, it’s not particularly a bad thing; eighteen and over shows should be banished altogether. Really, why? No one’s buying beer with their little wristbands and hand stamps; no underage child is going to go home drunk. It seems that there is an unfair prejudice against people under 18, and with a band like Dinosaur Jr. arriving in town, the hate should stop here. To my absolute pleasure, it did. Eighteen or no, I got through that door.

The only downside to my experience was arriving extremely late. I missed Lou Barlow and The Missingmen’s set -a total bummer because this time, I actually wanted to see the opening act. But my absence was made up for (see paragraph 4) and I believe it was well deserved. After all, who can deny the significance of flowers? Carrying a bouquet around a gig is a sure way to get noticed, at least; making friends this night was far from avoidable. It’s nice being able to charm your way to the front.

Around came 9:00 and J Mascis took the stage, unnatural platinum hair swaying side to side with awkward bluesy sound checks and all. I never expected to take J for a bashful guy, but aside from mumbled thanks in between songs, he said nothing the entire set (this, of course, assuming he sang lyrics.) But modesty aside, the set list was insane. Predictably, tracks from Farm took up a good portion of the night -”I Don’t Wanna Go There” included an extended jam, along with a funky version of “Over It” and the record’s catchy opener, “Pieces.” But old school Dino fans got their treat as well. You’re Living All Over Me’s “Little Fury Things,” Bug’s “Freak Scene” and the popular “Feel the Pain” of Without a Sound were also honored. Keep in mind (for those who aren’t familiar with the band) Lou Barlow is in Dinosaur Jr., even though he also produces solo work and was one of the founding members of Sebadoh. For the record, I love Sebadoh. And deciding whether my bouquet should be given to J Mascis or Lou was an epic on its own. This, along with a few drunken dancing wash-ups, was my only distraction of the night.

It turns out my internal conflict was decided for me. Immediately proceeding the show, J Mascis hightailed to the tour bus and never came out, no answer to my urgent knocks and still no Lou to be seen. As with the Melvins, I figured lurking near the backside of the building was my best option, so I shot the breeze with some of Lou’s old college friends, one of whom stole part of my heart.*

The whole ordeal lasted for at least two hours after the show had ended, but in the end Lou got my flowers and he wrote me a note in thanks. It was actually the first time I’ve had a real conversation with one of my underground heroes. And I didn’t cry this time. It’s not like I try to be the creepy fan chick anyway, it just comes naturally. But we’ll see how long this newfound coolness fairs. Meat Puppets are hitting Headliners Nov. 17th. You bet I’m there.

Release Date: 2009
Label: Jagjaguwar

It’s clear that (most of the time) musicians should never reunite after 10+ years of an irresolute hiatus. With this, Dinosaur Jr. doesn’t apply. But there are a few problems: does it really seem not loud enough? I’ve already checked my volume levels and what is audible from these speakers can only be surmised as tame. Almost too tame. The critic side of me notes this as a fault, but the human side of me is heartbroken. Although Farm ranks second to 87’s You’re Living All Over Me, (and maybe between the quadrants of Bug or Green Mind ), there’s something that still isn’t there. The quiet-loud dynamic seems muffled, J Mascis’s guitar is louder than his voice (as usual), and through all of this I couldn’t even come up with another pot pie analogy. I’m stumped.

So let’s rewind to the Meat Puppets. Remember that album Rise to Your Knees? Remember how painful it was to listen to the opening track, realizing that your old, precious Curt Kirkwood seemed washed out and confused? I was as baffled as him. And it would be no exaggeration to say the memories of that record still haunt me, almost as much as Laura Dern’s face in Inland Empire. Although, through time I learned to forgive the Puppets, with this exception made solely on their proceeding, and most recent release, Sewn Together. The leak dropped, and I was in bliss. Each track complimented the next, beautifully reflecting ye olde Puppets days.

Farm is like Sewn Together. It’s the album that proves they’re still awesome, genuinely matured and ultimately proving they can in fact get back into the groove. Of course it’s not an all around accurate groove (circa ’87-’94), but it’s definitely there, and that’s enough. It’s like turning on a modern rock record, without reeking of the modern rock typicals. There aren’t any wussy ballads, the guitar is tastefully unclean and despite its protruding aggression, there are still emotional moments to be had –the chewy nougat, if you will. For me, that moment is in the last two minutes or so of “Ocean in the Way:” a complete flashback moment, so Green Mind-esque it makes you sick. You almost feel bad for Mascis, crooning gently as his instrument responds similarly, and (predictably) jumping into a complete resurgence of a classic Dino Jr. wallop.

The real reasoning for my less-than-perfect critique refers only to a few tracks. “I Don’t Wanna Go There” actually reminds me of a Pearl Jam song. And yes, there are several instances in this track where Mascis starts pulling an Eddie Vedder, but all is forgiven after another melodic and driving solo from J’s outrageously loud guitar, (and if you listen closely, you might actually hear some drums.) But the Vedder is only one of the many voices of Mascis. The classic Mascis is usually what I prefer, but in some occurrences you can detect the sort of secret grungy region, exemplified from a cracking voice, maybe a few grunts. Don’t try to hide behind that feedback crap, J, it’s obvious to see where those 90s bands learned to sing.

Complaints aside, I will always devote my heart to J Mascis’s voice. My shtick has usually been the creepy fangirl, anyway. And I don’t mind. It should be okay that I want to cuddle with his vocal chords, maybe take them out to a picture show, hope they’ll call me the next day and pray it’s not too Vedder-esque.

So after finally buying the album on vinyl and throwing on the double LP for careful consideration, I have categorically decided Farm is among one of the best Dinosaur Jr. records I’ve ever heard. They do what few bands can do after a 10 year hiatus. Dinosaur Jr. is beloved, and who certainly didn’t tarnish their legacy; this isn’t your stinkin’ Smashing Pumpkins revival.

Cool stuff to check out:
“Over It”
Myspace
The secret link