Dinosaur Jr.

Beyond (Fat Possum)

A rather ripped Van Winkle moment has arrived for Lou Barlow and company, who last recorded as Dinosaur Jr. in 1989. Even listeners too old to judge a 50-minute CD by its cover will find something enthralling in that figure on the couch being sucked under the cushions. The leadoff chorus from “Almost Ready” makes it clear that after years of wandering the desert, Dino Jr. has nothing to apologize for. Ditto for the sublime riffs off the grunge ballad “We’re Not Alone.” Meanwhile, the full-throated roar of J. Mascis’ guitar and the driving backbeats laid by Murph, a drummer who’s always deserved more respect, retain the gravity of the La Brea Tar Pits. For unreconstructed rockists, the title of track six tells you everything you need to know about the band’s reunion fever: “Been There All the Time.” Apparently evolution is overrated.

***

This article appears in April 27 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US