Beyond

Description

Since bassist Lou Barlow left Dinosaur Jr. in 1989, the bandwhose last record was 1997s expansive Hand It Overhas largely become an alter-ego moniker for guitarist/vocalist J Mascis. But now the original trio (including drummer Emmett Murph Murphy) has reunited for the first time since Barlows split, and the 11-song outcome makes one ask: Why did they wait so long? Masciss thunderous Almost Ready, featuring both his combustible guitar and weary vocals, is the perfect blast-off, allowing Murphys backbeat to set a turbulent pace early, and while songs like Been There All the Time and the Neil Young accolade This Is All I Came to Do have Mascis as primed as ever, Barlow (whose 90s-era Sebadoh set the bar for lo-fi bands) reappears with two of the records strongest tracks: the poppy Lightning Bulb and Back to Your Heart, which recalls late-in-the-game Hüsker Dü. These 50 minutes of music are as cohesive as they are conquering, and whether the same can be said of the once-prickly relationship between Mascis and Barlow will ultimately decide if this is a one-off reunion or if the real Dinosaur Jr. is back for awhile.