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After a banal performance from support acts not worth remembering (but whom I’m obliged to mention here) Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Radiant City, the far-more charismatic sound of Dinosaur jr. exploded from the stage. Opening with Almost Ready, the loud, VERY LOUD, distorted guitar melody immediately dominated the theatre. For three middle aged men standing relatively inanimate on stage, the group managed to exert an amazing force with their sound. Within only a few songs they had blown amplifiers.
The original threesome, J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph, disintegrated in the late 80s and reformed in 2004. This is their second time in the country since reuniting, promoting their album Beyond, the first new material they’ve made together since 1988. It is an unexpectedly good album, and the live show was good enough not to devalue it.
Frontman J Mascis, whose characteristic long tangles have turned silver and silky, still projects that melancholic charm with his vocals— even if they were poorly audible from the best positions. His high gain guitar was work was inventive and melodic, garnished with impressive but not over-done solos. This in addition to Barlow’s heavy bass strumming made for a thick and textured sound.
While the new songs were played wonderfully, the audience only half responded when classics like Feel the Pain and Freak Scene were blasted. Although, I must admit that the highlight for me was an older tune Sludgefeast that was played during the encore set. Barlow fans were treated to a catchy song lead by him on vocals Back to your Heart, which is from the new album. Overall, this gig would have been much more successful had the audience been familiar with the new album. Touring new material is a risky thing for underground heroes like these guys to do, but Dinosaur jr. pulled it off safely, if not doing a beautiful job of it. |
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