J Mascis

If there's one word that I didn't ever think I'd use to describe a J Mascis album, it's beautiful. But, in essence, that's what his new solo outing, 'Tied To A Star', is. That may be a bitter pill to swallow for some Dinosaur Jr fans, but here Mascis shows that he's just as adept at crafting acoustic beauty, as he is bone-crunching noise. There's some consolation for those less inclined towards the quieter side of the spectrum, with occasional electric flourishes, but crucially this is an effective showcase for Mascis' talents as a songwriter and guitarist.

As you'd expect, there's plenty of catchy hooks to be found here, perhaps the most pleasant surprise though is Mascis' vocal. While still maintaining his angst-ridden lilt, he tackles some sections in a higher register than usual. Indeed, at times he sounds somewhat similar to Joseph Arthur by adopting a softer delivery. There's also a subtle sense of humour lurking beneath the heartfelt compositions. Maybe it's just me, but there's a certain irony that the duet with Cat Power, 'Wide Awake', sounds the most like a lullaby.

Lyrically, there's a certain amount of soul searching, 'Heal The Star' for example features the line "I could use a bit less doubt". However, it's certainly not an overwhelmingly depressing record, despite the subdued mood. The instrumental 'Drifter' demonstrates a carefree campfire sensibility, thanks in part to the percussion used. It's those elements that are gradually introduced behind the acoustic guitars that elevate the album beyond a navel-gazing exercise. Indeed, 'Come Down' utilises a distortion-laden guitar as backing throughout. But for the most part, the songs build to these added instrumental touches, which never feel distracting from what's come before.

Continue reading: J Mascis - Tied To A Star Album Review

Whether fronting alternative rock legends and pioneers Dinosaur Jr. or branching out in his own solo work, J Mascis always seems to deliver something well worth a living. With this new solo album, Several Shades of Why, Mascis has pieced together a mellow and beautiful collection of acoustic songs. The album features notable collaborations with the likes of Kurt Vile adding guitar to a number of tracks and Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses offering himself up some vocals. Adding to the Alternative Rock who's-who feel, legendary grunge label Sub Pop are putting it out. It stands to reason that the weight of expectation for this album is quite high.

Continue reading: J Mascis, Several Shades of Why Album Review