The Fat Angel Sings

Their sixth studio album Dinosaur Jr. have recorded in the 20 years since their triumphal rebirth. Created in short, intense bursts over the course of a year at Amherst’s Bisquiteen Studio, “There Near” was recorded almost entirely by Dino’s core trio — king of the thunder tubs, Murph, human tornado Lou Barlow on bass/vocals and the inimitable J Mascis on guitar/vocals — with a bit of piano and organ work by local master musician, Ken Mauri. And the album roars from start to finish.

Trying to define the essence of Dino’s sound is never easy. It’s an instantly recognizable blend of loose vocals, sharp guitars and an animalistic rhythm section, but these parts combine into a whole far more magical and exciting than its components.

J’Mascis guitar tone throughout “There Near” is even more animalistic than usual, perhaps owing partly to the fact he’s playing through a recently acquired 70’s Mesa Boogie MK 1 amp. “I bought the same amp that Chris Dixon had when we made our first album,” J says. “Chris recorded us at his house with his amp. It has a real interesting sound I haven’t gotten for a while. And it’s something I was trying to get back to on this album.Asked about the philosophical opacity of his lyrical approach, J says. “I’m not always sure what a song is ‘about’ when I’m writing it. I guess the meaning will present itself at some point. I’ll use whatever words work. And a lot of it will be influenced by whatever esoteric mumbo jumbo I’m reading at the time. I try not to think too hard about any of it.

Someone suggested this album sounds more upbeat, but I guess that’s to do with my delivery, because lyrics like ‘No Friends’ might make you think otherwise. But I usually write in the third person. It’s all just make believe.”

While it’s true “There Near” does present a slightly softer lyrical edge on some of J’s songs, even a relatively gorgeous ballad like “Put It Down” eventually explodes in a shower of fiery guitar distentions. It’s just what happens. Meanwhile the two tunes provided by Lou — “Blowin’ Up” and “No One’s Ready” — may have less frenzied musical settings, but their lyrics sound like pointed and timely attacks on our current regime. As is so often the case, Lou’s melodic constructions have a friendly mien, but his lyrics cut like knives.

“There Near” continues Dinosaur Jr.’s string of classic albums. The new songs are sure to sound amazing with their monstrous riffs blaring from live stages amidst their historical brethren. Can’t wait to catch them live, but in the meantime “There Near” will be a constant companion.

Dinosaur Jr. shared its first single, “Several Got Away,” “There Near” is due out August 28th via Jagjaguwar.

“I bought the same amp that Chris Dixon had when we made our first album,” Mascis says in a press release. “Chris recorded us at his house with his amp. It has a real interesting sound I haven’t gotten for a while. And it’s something I was trying to get back to on this album. The Stones started using Mesa Boogies in the ‘70s after they heard Santana playing through them. Then The Clash copied The Stones, etc. As the years went on into the MK 2 and so on, the Boogie got more metal sounding. But the MK 1 has a souped-up Fender sound. You always hear how Rick Rubin always makes bands he’s producing sit down and listen to their first album and say let’s get back to that sound. So I just gave myself his advice.”

Of the album’s lyrics, he says: “I’m not always sure what a song is ‘about’ when I’m writing it. I guess the meaning will present itself at some point. I’ll use whatever words work. And a lot of it will be influenced by whatever esoteric mumbo jumbo I’m reading at the time. I try not to think too hard about any of it. I think it’s a drag that Spotify shows all the lyrics to a song. What’s the fun of that?”

Guy Kozak directed the “Several Got Away” video and had this to say about it: “I wanted to do something a little tongue-in-cheek with a kind of ‘backyard movie’ feel that could fit in nicely with the existing canon of dinosaur jr. music videos. The first bit of inspiration came from a great Henry Darger painting of kids being terrorized by two giant floating hands of fire. Then I got thinking about the rapture and it came together from there. The guys were really game for it all and I was honored that they let me chase them around a big field with my camera like a psycho. We were on a tight schedule with the turnaround so I had to learn a lot of VFX stuff over the course of a weekend, but I like the way the effects all turned out.”

Of the album’s lyrics, he says: “I’m not always sure what a song is ‘about’ when I’m writing it. I guess the meaning will present itself at some point. I’ll use whatever words work. And a lot of it will be influenced by whatever esoteric mumbo jumbo I’m reading at the time. I try not to think too hard about any of it.

“There Near” Due Out August 28th via Jagjaguwar

Dinosaur Jr. is J Mascis (guitar, vocals), Lou Barlow (bass, vocals), and Murph (drums). They recorded the album Amherst’s Bisquiteen Studio.