Don't call it a, etc. So we have two high-profile reunions already this year, the Stooges and Dinosaur Jr., with the Police and Rage Against the Machine still to come-- the last finally arriving in an historical moment *worth* protesting via rep-metal, if any is (debatable until Fred Durst's eventual W'burg renaissance). All I know of Iggy Stooge's return alongside a Mike Watt-enhanced backing band is teaser "Free and Freaky" (mp3), and it's... not as awful as ppl say. That is, it's merely a crass, misbegotten defilement of their legacy, rather than a Weezer's-Make-Believe-style injunction to reassess a band's entire catalog. Meanwhile the less said of Sting or those dudes from Audioslave the better. Ah, but Dinosaur Jr.!
I haven't blogged in a while. Since 2005, to believe my old blog (and why would you?), but I'd stopped making any meaningful contribution back in early summer 2004, when I began nearly three years as a full-time financial journalist for a trade pub and National Magazine Award-nominated BusinessWeek.com-- didn't seem appropriate, plus I was too busy. This past Wednesday marked my departure into a new chapter, returning to the trade pub's publisher on a part-time basis as I set out to try doing this pop crit thing "for real." An incredibly tough decision, but not for lack of good options, and thanks to everyone for the support. This is what I love to do.
WTF, can it really be hailing ALL DAY out there? Dinosaur Jr. include a couple of strong-willed bastards, J. Mascis and Lou Barlow, who had a famous falling out years ago for reasons I can't remember without flipping again through Our Band Could Be Your Life. They got back together for a tour starting in 2004, so a new album isn't a total surprise, but still it's a pleasant one. My introduction to Beyond, the first Dinosaur Jr. full-length with the original line-up since 1988's Bug, was-- like many of yours, I'm sure-- the poignant, late-summery "Almost Ready" (mp3). Its free-flowing, tuneful lead guitar, bittersweet melody, and cautiously optimistic lyrics give off a glow like a lakeside park in the August late-afternoon; I think part of it's nostalgia, and part of it is the slightly sad beauty of two proud talents coming to terms with the fact that they're better off together than solo. (Apparently it *can* hail all day, as it hasn't stopped since I got up.)
"Almost Ready" is the appetizer, but it's not the only song on Beyond that strikes me as appealingly personal. "Hate to say it, but you told me so," Mascis weighs in on "This Is All I Came to Do," another rocker that would probably be perfect for outdoor festivals, or just on the balcony with a six-pack. I've always known Lou Barlow's music with Sebadoh, Sentridoh, and the Folk Implosion better than I know Dinosaur Jr., so it's nice to see the uncomfortable lo-fi confessor getting his turn here. On "Back to Your Heart," he could almost be discussing the band: "I have never been happy that we left/ But I would leave again for you." Or he could be talking about, y'know, girls. (BTW, looks like an old Lou Barlow interview from my pre-Pitchfork days is still online.)
Oh, and yeah, Mascis does a lot of lengthy, blues-derived solos, but that's how he and dudes like the Bevis Frond's Nick Saloman did things back then, too. It comes off pretty dad-rock right now-- particularly compared to other stuff I'm listening to-- but it suits 'em, laid-back and almost charmingly old-fashioned, like my boy John Mayer thinking showing off his SRV chops or taking non-stances on politics via Bob Marley (vid) via Curtis Mayfield (vid; at least Marley credited Mayfield!) will make him cooler, when really he should just be embracing the inner dork that made him famous. Except Dinosaur Jr. don't have constipated-sounding production on *their* new album.
While I've been away from blogging, I've said some stuff, and stuff has been said back. Well, if I'm really just a dirty no-good blog-hater, then I guess THE ENEMY IS ME. HA! Just like it would be for Michael Richards if he found out *he* were a blogger. Anyway, so Mascis and Barlow pissed each other off, went their separate ways, and now they're back together again. Almost ready.
Wait, wha?
...Look for posts about music, politics, and media here. I'll try to do the once-daily thing when I can, though posts probably won't usually be this long. And when I get a chance I'll fill in the links section. Now stop reading this and go get some money.
P.S. My last boss suggested the blog title, preempting several infinitely lamer ideas. Thanks, Will!
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