The Week That Was

Eagles Of Death Metal at House of Independents

10/2 - 10/8, 2017

It's been tough for me to focus enough over the last month or so to do some of the things I find most mentally taxing around here like write album or show reviews. I'm grateful to have wonderful contributors like Henry, Matt, and Ken to pick up some of the slack while I focus on things like editing photos or sharing out songs, videos, and premieres. I have been trying to get out to some shows, but even that has taken a lot more effort on my part than it has in the past. This past week, though, was particularly active for me; and I didn't want to let it just go by without mentioning some of the great experiences.

Well Wisher

Monday, 10/2. Well Wisher, Big Nothing, Earth Telephone, Thin Lips at Wonder Bar.

This ended up being a great one. I've seen Natalie Newbold's Well Wisher several times over the last year or so, and I've really enjoyed their 90s-influenced brand of pop. They've been through a few line-up changes; and, on this night, they had Earth Telephone / Yawn Mower drummer, Biff Swenson, sitting in. His own band, Earth Telephone, were celebrating the recent release of their excellent EP Loss. It's a collection that's been resonating quite a bit with me lately, and you should check it out over at Earth Telephone's Bandcamp.

Thin Lips

Philly's Big Nothing put out their own self-titled EP over the summer. Like the rest of the bands on the bill, their sound weaves between pop and punk without ever actually being what I'd classify as pop-punk. Thin Lips closed things out; and, again, just another really good set. I hadn't seen them since, I think, around 2015 at Asbury Lanes. Monday night's show took place on the eve of Asbury Lanes's final show that same year; and I found myself, at various times throughout the night, -- with the bands that were playing, the friends that turned out -- thinking that this felt like one of those weeknight Lanes shows I'd stumble into every once in a while.

Good times.

J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.

Tuesday, 10/3. Dinosaur Jr., Easy Action at Brooklyn Bowl.

My plans for Tuesday were to sit home and watch the Yankees / Twins Wildcard Playoff Game. I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw that Garden State Beard and Mustache Society President / CoolDad Music contributor, Matt Chrystal, had won tickets to see Dinosaur Jr. at Brooklyn Bowl.

I sent him a text, intending to express my jealousy at his getting free tickets to see, maybe, my favorite band that said something along the lines of "FUCK YOU FOREVER." He texted back, "The timing of this is so funny, because I was just texting to ask you if you wanted to be my plus-1."

Oops.

We patched things up, and I met him at Brooklyn Bowl for the show. Easy Action, featuring John Brannon of Negative Approach on lead vocals, opened with a relentless 45-minute set, rattling off song after song with no filler. Dinosaur Jr. came out and blew the space away with their sheer volume as they ticked off most of the big ones like "Thumb," "Watch the Corners," "Out There," "Feel The Pain," "Little Fury Things," "The Wagon," "Start Choppin'," "Freak Scene," and "Just Like Heaven." They did their usual Deep Wound cover and then brought out Negative Approach for "Can't Tell No One" and "Nothing."

On the way out, we ran into Dinosaur Jr. drummer, Murph, and got a picture with him.

Me, Murph, Matt

Fun night.

Wednesday, 10/4. Home.

Oginalii

Thursday, 10/5. Oginalii, Algebra II at Asbury Park Brewery; The Yawpers at The Saint.

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed, when I noticed that Algebra II were in search of a cello for their last-minute show at Asbury Park Brewery that night. "CoolDaughter 2 has a cello," I thought; so I volunteered it. That night I headed out to see the CD2's cello in action.

Oginalii were up from Nashville and, damn. What a nice surprise. Kind of psychedelic, kind of sludge-y maybe. Elements of classic rock and elements of something a little more ambient.

Algebra II

Algebra II released their debut EP (4 years in the making), Milkshake Summer, back in August. It's an eclectic set of semi-sweet, off-kilter pop songs that I really enjoy hearing live. CD2's cello (well, its player, Gabriella Ibacache, really) performed excellently.

The Yawpers

As I was heading to my car, I got a text from Matt at The Saint that said, "yawpers on come here." We'd just published Matt's interview with Yawpers' frontman, Nate Cook, on Tuesday; so I headed next door. Whoa!

Blistering doesn't begin to describe the set The Yawpers turned in. A blend of country, blues, and punk, the band left everything onstage.

Friday / Saturday. Uncle / Family-related things.

Dave Catching and Jesse Hughes of Eagles Of Death Metal

Sunday, 10/8. Eagles Of Death Metal, The Battery Electric at House of Independents.

Battery's big night. Our friends and Asbury's own The Battery Electric have forged a friendship with Jesse Hughes and Eagles Of Death Metal. You can read all about that in Matt's interview with Ron Santee. This show was a long time in the making, and both bands made the most of it.

The Battery Electric

House of Independents was sold out, and The Battery Electric brought it for the hometown crowd. I'd wedged myself right up front among the EODM die-hards so I could take some pictures, and the response from those unfamiliar with the boys was positive. There were plenty of dyed-in-the-wool Battery fans in the house going bananas as well.

Eagles Of Death Metal took the stage; and, from the first moments, it was obvious that the match between the two bands was perfect. Jesse Hughes started out by shaking hands with everyone in the front row and then went on to lead the proceedings like a preacher (He is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church.). At various points, he donned Bond St. Bar and Battery Electric T-Shirts. The crowd danced all night. I'd never seen the place so crazy or so packed.

I walked out into the Asbury night; got in the van; and headed home, sweaty and tired with a few hundred pictures. I'm all set to do it again in the weeks to come. Keep on keeping on.

Primus Played Stone Pony Summer Stage w/ Dinosaur Jr. and The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, 7/24/15

Freak Scene

Just a few words on last night's Summer Stage show.

I am a huge Dinosaur Jr. fan, so going to this one was a no-brainer for me. CoolMom and I dropped the kids off at their summer camp for a perfectly-timed evening eat, swim, hang event. It only lasted until 9, though, which meant that CoolMom would have to leave me right after Dinosaur Jr.'s set. Having her there with me for their part of the evening was great as Dinosaur Jr. are one of the bands we bonded over early in our relationship.

Sean Lennon's and Charlotte Kemp Muhl's The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger opened with a short set. Psychedelic and weird, I really enjoyed them. They used an interesting code for the songs on the setlist.

I saw Dinosaur Jr. mastermind, J Mascis, lurking in the wings, and my pulse quickened. Dinosaur Jr. took the stage at about 7:30 and let out a roar of sound that had some unprepared folks up front -- CoolMom included -- sticking their fingers in their ears. During their 45 minutes, the band hit lots of high points including "The Wagon," "Start Choppin," "Out There," "Pieces," "Feel The Pain," and "Freak Scene." J's vocals got a little lost in the mix, at least from our spot up front; but his guitar sounded fantastic.

At the end of their set, CoolMom had to bolt to pick up the kids. I got a text from her a few minutes later telling me she had no car keys, and I had to give up my primo front and center spot to feed them to her through the fence. Once over there, a friend asked me, "Hey, are Dinosaur Jr. always that insanely loud?"

"Yeah," I said. "Awesome, right?"

I couldn't face fighting my way back up front for Primus, so I watched their set from afar as I walked around the venue. I found some friends and we ended up having a great time. The Primus fans in the audience told me that the set was one of the band's best; and, as far as I was concerned, the visuals and the musicianship were all there.

The high from seeing my favorite band with CoolMom on such a beautiful night carried me all the way through the set from Primus and, pretty much, until I fell asleep.

I took lots of pictures of the first two sets and got a few far away shots of Primus. Check them out below. See more at Flickr.



Addendum: True Primus Fan, Kenny Geiger of The Uncommonly Good and GPP Gives Us His Take on the Set by Primus.

Since 2010, I have seen Primus at least once a year. With this trip to The Stone Pony last Friday, I was officially seeing Les and the Gang for the 6th time. By now, I had a very good idea of what to expect with the stage show, songs, etc.

That was my mentality for a good chunk of the set, as the band managed to move into concert staples, such as the thunderous opener that was "Here Come the Bastards," and their magnum opus "Frizzle Fry," with ease.

However, I could feel an entirely different vibe from the band this time. They seemed to be feeding off the crowd energy as they ferociously attacked one song after another. I had a feeling something big was coming. The feeling only intensified when Les busted out the upright bass.

After playing the hit "Jilly's On Smack" from the Green Naugahyde album, the trio made their way into a cover of the Oompa Loompa theme song, giving it the perfect dosage of the signature primus wackiness. The song that came next, though, is where I was floored. They actually busted out the 1994 Pork Soda cut "Mr. Krinkle."

Now, for every other time I had seen Primus, I always hoped they would bust out a gem. "Mr. Krinkle" always topped that list of gems. When I heard Les Claypool play that opening riff on the upright bass, I felt as if I had transcended. My friends nearby said they had never seen me that way. One friend claims my eyes rolled into the back of my head. I cannot be so sure, as I was too focused on hearing one of my all time favorite Primus songs for the first time live.

The rest of the set was just even more icing on the already satisfying cake. I especially enjoyed the little nod they gave to The Good the Bad and the Ugly by playing the theme before doing "American Life." Only those guys could think to pay homage to such a film.

Many have said this is the best set they heard from Primus. Those people are like myself: The kind of folk that have turned seeing Primus from a concert to a family tradition of sorts. My dad and I do it every tour they have. So I can surely back up those folks by saying that last Friday’s was the best set I have seen Primus put on in my life.

New Single from J Mascis featuring Cat Power

CoolDad Music mascot Little J Mascis admires my J Mascis Jazzmaster as I listen to J Mascis.

"Wide Awake"

Have I mentioned that I am a J Mascis superfan? No. Hmmm.... I thought, maybe, I had. Oh, well.

Anyway, he's got a new solo record, Tied to a Star, coming out on August 29th with Sub Pop. He already gave us a taste with "Every Morning." Just a few days ago, J released "Wide Awake," a duet with Cat Power, aka Chan Marshall. Lots of finger-picking and kind of a worn out, forlorn feel to it. It reminds me a lot of J's excellent debut solo effort from 2011, Several Shades of Why.

J will be touring this fall in support of the new record and stops at Bowery Ballroom in New York on Friday, October 17th. I already have tickets.

Happy Diving, Happy Diving, 2014

EP Review

Someone put me on the spot a few weeks ago and asked me, "Who's your favorite band?"

"Uh... ...The Replacements? ...Pavement? ...Bob Mould in his various incarnations?"

Then I got home and had a George Costanza "Jerk Store" moment, realizing what I should have said after the fact. Any guesses?

Those of you who said Dinosaur Jr. win the prize (honorable mention to those who said Titus Andronicus, but I was going for a more veteran act). I couldn't believe that, in the heat of the moment, I forgot all about J, Lou, and Murph. I went through the stats here at CoolDad Music one day, and I think that Dinosaur Jr. accounted for something like 15-20% of the posts. That may have been diluted a bit since the I Bet On Sky album cycle wound to a close, but they're still one of the biggest topics here.

I think it's the way that Dinosaur Jr. blend the sounds of classic rock and, sometimes, country with the heavier sounds of punk, noise, and hardcore. They appeal to where I was as a teenager and where I am now in terms of what I like to listen to. Just check out my "Not From The 90s" playlist on Spotify to see how much of a hold J Mascis has on my musical tastes.

Weezer are kind of soul mates to Dinosaur Jr. in blending what would normally be disparate categories into something wonderful. In the case of the LA band, the blend of hard rock and pop combined with bringing the vocals to the fore create a sound that, it turns out, has influenced countless bands releasing music in the last year or two.

On their four-song, self-titled EP released back in January, Bay Area quartet Happy Diving push all the right Dinosaur Jr. / Weezer-y buttons for me. Like every song on the record, opener "As You Were" starts with some guitar feedback or noise. Matt Berry's vocals fall somewhere between the buried whine of J Mascis and the clear as a bell yelp of Rivers Cuomo. There are power chords and octaves, and the song ends with the primordial beginnings of a guitar solo.

Single and standout track "Sincere" features Berry in a call and response of sorts with some big, plodding guitar chords as he resigns himself to "wasting my life to be sincere." This time, a beefy solo cuts through the fuzz as the song comes to a close.

The vocals get a little lower in the mix and the noise gets cranked a little louder on the last two tracks. "Complacent" features the line "But if you knew me, you'd know I'm not worth it at all" cutting through all the guitars. In a similar vein, closer "Never Been" opens with "I wish that I could say what I wanted to say, but I'll be quiet." Self-deprecating lyrics surrounded by fuzz and distortion with some guitar leads poking through just do it for me every time. What can I say?

"You know a lot about music," someone said to me the other night.

"I try to keep up, " I said, "but I always find myself going back to the same kind of thing." Happy Diving do that kind of thing pretty well. They've apparently got a full-length coming on Father / Daughter later this year; and, if it stands up to this self-titled effort, I'll be jumping on it while I wait for the next thing from J.

Happy Diving is out now, and you can stream a couple of songs over at Happy Diving's Bandcamp page.

Stream Felled Trees Dinosaur Jr. Tribute Album

Where We Been

A couple of weeks ago, I called your attention to two of the tracks from the upcoming tribute to Dinosaur Jr.'s major-label, alt-rock classic, Where You Been. Members of several emo bands like Texas Is the Reason, Samiam, and Knapsack, going by the name Felled Trees (I'm thinking that's a "Start Choppin" reference), all contribute on Where We Been.

Soon after clicking "Publish" on that post, I headed over to Siren Records and placed my pre-order. Well, Where We Been comes out today; and the good folks at Siren have made it available to stream via their Soundcloud.

Thanks to Friend of CoolDad Music (we'll coin FoCDM for that from now on) ScotchLaRock for calling my attention to the stream. I've now got the soundtrack for when I put all of my conference calls on mute today.

Enjoy!

There's Gonna Be a Where You Been Tribute Album!!!

Felled Trees, Where We Been

This year marks the 20th anniversary of J Mascis's second post-Lou Barlow record as Dinosaur Jr. Probably Dinosaur Jr.'s biggest success commercially, the major label effort, Where You Been, gave the world 90s anthems like "Out There," "Start Choppin'," and "Get Me." It's one of the albums for which both CoolMom and I share an unbridled love.

Felled Trees, a project featuring contributions from members of bands like Texas Is The Reason and Knapsack, will be releasing a full-album cover of this 1990s alt-rock classic on October 15th. So far they've given us previews in the form of... ...well, in the form of two of my favorite songs ever.

I approve.

Stream "Get Me,"



and head over to Brooklyn Vegan to check out "Start Choppin'."

Dinosaur Jr. Played Irving Plaza on Friday, June 7th

It Was Dry Inside

I'll admit it. As I stood at my backdoor at 10PM, watching CoolDog wade through ankle-deep water in the backyard, CoolMom sleeping on the sofa in front of Crazy Stupid Love, I wavered. The rain was really coming down, and I hadn't even left for Manhattan yet.

This was Dinosaur Jr. we were talking about, though, so I gulped down a cup of coffee and headed for the car. I gave CoolMom a peck on the forehead, and she mumbled a "Be careful" through her haze.

As I approached the Pulaski Skyway, the burned out and blackened hulk of a BMW SUV blocked one whole lane of Route 1/9. Just off the highway in the grass was the other car, whose make I couldn't determine. It was also just a charred remnant. Making my way around the obstacle posed by the BMW, I noticed a line of onlookers over on the shoulder, staring through the rain. No police. No fire. Even the first responders weren't out in the weather.

I ever-so-cautiously made the rest of the drive to Union Square and got into Irving Plaza just before Reignwolf were supposed to take the stage. The crowd wasn't as large as it was for Johnny Marr, probably owing to the lateness of the show and the weather, so I was able to push my way almost to the front. Of course, a phalanx of six-foot-four young men lined the barricade.

Reignwolf's Jordan Cook took the stage right on schedule at 12AM. Armed with his electric guitar and a kick-drum, Cook unleashed his heavy, electric blues on the crowd. At one point, he moved behind the drum set, playing drums with his right hand and guitar with his left.

Following Cook's opening barrage, he brought out drummer Joseph Braley and bassist Stitch for the rest of his 40-minute set. The band continued with their Black-Keys-If-The-Black-Keys-Sang-About-Satan-And-The-Excruciating-Pain-Of-Love style blues, Cook climbing atop the monitors and playing guitar behind his head or with his teeth.

Dinosaur Jr. walked on stage at 1:15. The crowd immediately remarked on the absence of Murph behind the drums. "Murph's not here tonight," said Lou Barlow. "This is Kyle Spence. He's played with J for a long time. He'll be playing drums tonight." The band then launched into "Bulbs of Passion" from the re-issued debut Dinosaur LP and followed it up with "The Lung" off of the classic You're Living All Over Me.

"Hey, Everybody! We're Kings of Leon!" Said Barlow. "We were really bummed about not playing today, so we thought we'd come here," he said, joking about that band's rained-out headlining set at that day's Governor's Ball Festival where Dinosaur Jr. had played that afternoon. "Your sex is on on fi-ire!!!"

Guitarist and frontman J Mascis stood quietly, as usual, noodling and tuning his Jazzmaster, separated from the rest of the band by his wall of Marshalls as Barlow worked the crowd. It can often look like Mascis is just going through the motions. He almost never acknowledges the crowd or the rest of the band and stands over in his "booth" producing withering solos. As I watched him closely, though, I could see a real commitment during those solos. Mascis would close his eyes and turn his face to the ceiling as he worked the frets.

In contrast, Barlow was constant movement. He'd bend at the waist and flail his arms, playing his bass down near the bridge or almost all the way up the neck.

The set covered the entire Dinosaur Jr. discography. There were early cuts like "No Bones," "In A Jar," "Budge," and "Sludgefeast." The Barlow-less, 1990s, alt-rock catalog received nods like "The Wagon," "Start Choppin'," and "Feel the Pain." "Almost Fare," "Don't Pretend You Didn't Know," "Rude," and "Watch the Corners" from the band's latest, post-reunion effort, I Bet on Sky, had a different feel from the older material but still sounded great. They even brought out bassist Scott Helland for a cover of Deep Wound's "Training Ground."

A widening circle pit developed over the course of the show. The numbers of twenty-something (though I saw what must've been a few original Dinosaur Jr. fans in there) male moshers didn't necessarily increase as much as they just widened their area of coverage during the set. Things reached a fever pitch during "Freak Scene," but I was able to stay mostly out of harm's way and contain my curmudgeonly impulses.

"Thanks, everyone! We were Beach House. Thanks for coming," said Barlow as the band left the stage.

Dinosaur Jr. are a hugely important band. In the mid-eighties, they brought references to classic rock and the guitar solo back to underground music. Mascis rode the alternative rock wave for a bit in the 1990s. Today, whatever their direct influences, bands like Titus Andronicus, The Men, and Milk Music sound the way they do, in part, because of J Mascis and Dinosaur Jr. On Friday night, Dinosaur Jr. showed that they're still a musical force, despite whatever awkwardness may exist among the members.

As I waited for my car in the parking garage, I asked a guy wearing a purple and green "J Mascis" shirt what he thought of the show. "I basically live my life waiting for the next time that Dinosaur Jr. comes to town," he said. In the face of that kind of commitment, I guess maybe my decision to drive an hour and a half in the rain and to get home at 4AM doesn't sound all that heroic.

The lighting was awful, but here are a few pics:

Dinosaur Jr. Edition

Tropical Storm Andrea Friday

Dinosaur Jr. are playing an officially-sanctioned Governor's Ball after-party tonight at Irving Plaza.

Doors at 11, Reignwolf 12-12:45, Dinosaur Jr 1:15-2:45. Not only will I be exhausted during tomorrow's swim meet at Seton Hall, but I should also be driving home right at the peak of whatever Andrea decides to bring to the area. Don't care.

I'm thinking that CoolMom, despite her love of Dinosaur Jr., is gonna be bagging out on this one. Just a guess.

Whatever you get yourself up to this evening, batten down the hatches; stay dry; and...

Rock on.

California X, California X

Review at SIMGE

I've been talking a lot about California X over the last week.  Their hometown and their focus on heavy, distorted guitars have generated more than a few comparisons to Dinosaur Jr.  Head over to Speak Into My Good Eye and read about how I think, even though they sound really good, they don't sound all that much like J, Lou, and Murph.  I also give a few shouts out to their great record label, Don Giovanni Records.

There's even a bonus mini-rant about early swim meets.

J Mascis / Dinosaur Jr. Stuff

Tally for the Year

I realized yesterday that I've bought quite a bit of J Mascis / Dinosaur Jr.-related stuff over the course of the last twelve months.

I Bet on Sky (Deluxe Bundle)
Bug Live (Purple Vinyl)
Chocomel Daze
Heavy Blanket (Purple Vinyl)
Circle Single (Edie Brickell cover on green, marbled vinyl)
The Electronic Anthology Project:  Dinosaur Jr.
Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster guitar
Tickets to Dinosaur Jr. performing  You're Living All Over Me at Terminal 5 in New York City (Ended up selling those.)

And, of course

J Mascis Throbblehead

One could probably expand this to include tickets to see Sebadoh (Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow's band), Sebadoh's Secret EP, and Sentridoh's Weed Forestin' reissue.

That's some serious fanboy action, right there.

Dinosaur Jr., I Bet on Sky, 2012

Gotta Get Off My A$# and Run Album Review

Sometimes, as you get older, you get restless.  You want to try new things.  If what you're doing now isn't something you love or are passionate about, the rut and the sameness of it all can become too much.  That's when people start exploring career changes and other experiences that can provide some fulfillment.

But there are a lucky few that find their niche.  They become good at what they do.  So good, in fact, that they have perfected the way they do it.  I think of Mariano Rivera throwing the same pitch, time after time, and still baffling opposing hitters.  Dinosaur Jr. have become like that.  They have their thing.  They've perfected it.  They're into a phase now where they do it over and over again.  And it's good.

I Bet on Sky is Dinosaur Jr.'s tenth studio album, the third following a decade-long break and featuring the reunited original line-up of J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph.  While it may have slightly more general appeal than its predecessors, Beyond and Farm, it is still a Dinosaur Jr. record.  That means Mascis's almost mumbled, drawling vocals and ferocious guitar soloing.  That means that you can always predict the places where the music will swell to a wave of noise as a song builds to the chorus.

The themes haven't changed much either.  Loneliness is probably the overriding theme of almost all Dinosaur Jr. songs, and the collection on I Bet on Sky is no exception.  Whether or not the word "alone" comes up explicitly in any given song, as it does on single "Watch the Corners," that feeling of being an outsider looking in is usually there.  Even more upbeat-sounding tracks like "Almost Fare" and "I Know It Oh So Well" include lyrics like "Now, there she is. / What should I do? / What should I give?" or "I got home again. I watched you float away..."  You can almost imagine a young J Mascis at home, alone in his room, with his collection of 1970's classic rock, 1980's hardcore, post-punk, and country records spread out on the floor with something spinning on the turntable, volume set to 11.

I Bet on Sky, like Beyond and Farm, also includes two contributions from Lou Barlow, "Rude" and "Recognition."  These are nice to hear, especially since I've recently reacquainted myself with Barlow's songwriting through his non-Dinosaur Jr. Sentridoh and Sebadoh projects.  Both are bouncier indie pop.  They feature Barlow's much more conventionally "good" voice along with the embellishments of the big Dinosaur Jr. sound and some Mascis soloing.

I guess not everything has stayed exactly the same.  Dinosaur Jr. are sounding ever so slightly more commercial than they have in a while, kind of like they did on (the Barlow-less) classics Green Mind and Where You Been?  One or two of the songs may actually be kind of funky sounding.  Really, what we've got here, though, is a band doing what it's always done and doing it well.  It really takes a special talent to throw just one pitch and remain so dangerous.  Dinosaur Jr. definitely have it.

"Watch The Corners" Video

Dinosaur Jr. Fandom at a Fever Pitch

Dinosaur Jr. have premiered the video for I Bet On Sky single, "Watch the Corners," over at Funny or Die.

Add this to the fact that I'm taking advantage of some alone time tomorrow to go see Dino bassist, Lou Barlow, and his band Sebadoh, and I've pretty much worked myself up into a fanboy frenzy waiting for this record.

I Bet On Sky comes out on JagJaguwar on September 18th.

Watch the Corners from Dinosaur Jr      

Dinosaur Jr. Song Premiere

"Watch the Corners"

Rolling Stone has an exclusive premiere of what will be Track 2 on Dinosaur Jr.'s upcoming I Bet on Sky (due 9/18 on Jagjaguwar).

I love everything this band has ever done, but I think they are at their best when in pop, or even pop-ballad mode (see:  "Freak Scene," "Pond Song," "I Live for that Look," "Get Me," "See You").  "Watch the Corners," I think, falls into that category combining J's trademark vocal style, guitar shredding, and even an acoustic break with some chunky chords, fuzz, and good rhythm work from Lou and Murph.

Dinosaur Jr. have just about perfected the formula they came up with in the 80's.  Now if they would just add a NY/NJ metro show to the fall tour...

Update (7/4/12):  Here's the stream:

Dinosaur Jr. Announce New Album, Tour

I Bet On Sky Scheduled for September

Dinosaur Jr. have announced the release date and track listing for their upcoming album I Bet On Sky along with dates for a fall tour.  The album will be available in the U.S. on September 18th and is the band's third since reuniting the original line-up.

I absolutely loved both comeback albums:  2007's Beyond and 2009's Farm.  Dinosaur Jr. have always fused elements of modern/alt/indie rock with elements of classic rock in a way that I don't think many bands do.  It's hard, fuzzed out indie rock with a good pop sensibility and lots of guitar solos.  I hadn't realized until I started trying to learn songs on the guitar how rare the guitar solo is in much of the music that I listen to these days.  Dinosaur Jr., though, have kept it alive all these years.

Sadly, as of right now, the closest the tour comes to me is Philadelphia, PA.  I may have to engineer a visit to the in-laws in Houston or a business trip to Dallas come October if nothing changes.

Here's one of my favorite videos from 2009.