Customer Reviews

More Light

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

J. Mascis takes a big risk here. When an artist who has built a career singing epic songs about alienation and sorrow turns in his or her "happy" or "love" album, there is always the risk that it will come across as trite or insincere. There are only 3 possible outcomes from releasing a CD like this:

1. He alienates the core fanbase who were expecting the usual sweeping sorrowscapes. They may think he's "selling out" (as if "happy" somehow equalled "sell-out").

2. He re-establishes himself with folks who dug his basic sound but were turned off by the relentless negativity of his previous albums. However, how many people will be willing to give him a "second chance" at $17 a pop?

3. He brings in a whole new crowd, gets played on Total Request Live, and makes millions. To quote J. himself, "yeah, right".

Given these odds, what would possess him or her to press on anyway, the heck with the consequences? Why, love, of course. Almost every song on this CD is ripe with genuine expressions of woozy joy, made all the more poignant when contrasted to his past work. There is also an interesting subtext to several of the songs here; a dialog between the artist and his fans, in whcih he is gently asking them to "lighten up" a bit.

So, how does J. Mascis do at "happy"? He pulls it off with as much sincerity and depth of feeling that he brought to sadder subjects. Fear not, his amazing mastery of the guitar is strong as ever, but applied in a slightly different way. This is a high-wire act that he pulls off quite well indeed. I am so glad he chose to make this record. Respect must be paid at long last to J. Mascis. Buy this CD and hear a true artist risking everything just to tell you it's gonna be alright after all. This is food for the soul. Absolutely priceless.

It's been several years since J Mascis' last album with the now defunct Dinosaur Jr, but his new album "More Light" is well worth the wait. If you're not familiar with this artist, his voice is definitely an acquired taste. His music, however, is an interesting mixture of sonic boom and yearning emotion. The later is displayed on "Ground Me to You" which is certainly one of the best songs on the album. Many of Mascis' songs over the years have centered on painful yearnings about love and relationships and the tortured quality of his voice goes perfectly with this beautiful track. "Waistin'" is another song in a similar vein. If you're looking for guitar pyrotechnics, check out "Back Before You Go" and "Same Day." These are guitar heavy songs with incredible fret work. Another amazing solo can be found on "Does the Kiss Fit," which has a little more of a funky groove than what Mascis usually produces. When J fronted Dinosaur Jr, he also controlled nearly every aspect of the band, often playing all of the instruments on many of the tracks. Clearly a genius, he may also have been a bit of a control freak and the music often seemed bogged down in a sludge of distortion and depression. Now that he is backed by "the Fog," the music seems more creative than on his last two albums. And for virtually the first time on a Mascis creation, there are backing vocals other than his own! There are also pianos, banjos, barking dogs, and other assorted sounds that create an interesting texture for this cd. "Where You Been" was definitely the high point in Dinosaur's career. "More Light" is a return to form for this Boston native. And in a world of alternative music where most current bands are just ripping off ones of the past, this is a refreshingly original album from one of today's most creative artists.

Aptly attributed to "the fog", the former Dino Jr. leader returns to the world of electricity with "More Light". His trademark guitar screech (I mean that as a compleament) and crazed vocals are in high form. Mascis may well be one of the few "indie guitar gods", since the genre favors songwriting and posturing more than fretboard antics. Featuring Robert Pollard from Guided by Voices on vocals (not that you can hear 'em)and Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine lurking about, this album seems more varied than the Dino days, but still packs a punch. If you get a chance, catch him on his brief tour- Mike Watt is on bass, making it a true "punk supergroup".

Upon listening to this record one time through, I can say that it is as strong if not better than any Dinosaur Jr. material I have come in contact with. D Jr.' later albums were struggling to find stand out tracks with strong hooks and melodies. More Light is not light in that respect. Kevin Shields brings a subtle spacy psychodelic sound to the tracks that really give this solo effort a reborn and unique feel. This album is an instant pleasure and Mascis should be commended for an unwavering style that is refreshing given the current trends in music.

Actually, the editorial review mostly says it all: the other two songs are available elsewhere, "Jet Plane" is only on this. So you have to make a decision there. As for the version of John Denver's "classic", it walks the same line of (in)sincerity as Dinosaur Jr's "Just Like Heaven" and "Show Me the Way" covers. For me it was worth it to have the regular (great) albumn along with the three extra tracks in one, but again, cost and desire have to be weighed.

I'm the biggest basher of post Lou Barlow era Dinosaur Jr. around. I always felt that J lost a few steps after Bug and a few thousand after Where You Been. Sure the later albums had some cool tracks, but the majority was not good. This is J's strongest album in almost a decade...hands down! The production is fresh and clean (Kevin Shields! When is the next MBV album???) and there are some new sounds floating around which hit the mark. J, you've won me back to the fold!

Although Dinosaur Jr. is now extinct, J.Mascis shows he hasn't forgotten where he came from on "More Light," his first album with new band, the Fog. From the opening crunch of "Same Day," the album delivers the intense sound, energy and emotive guitar work that have come to define J's work. In fact, after a single listen, it almost sounds as if "More Light" is nothing more than a follow-up to "Hand it Over," the last Dinosaur Jr. album. That of course would not be bad by any means. But after a second, third and fourth listen, it becomes apparent that J. has broken away slightly from the Dinosaur Jr. pattern and created an even better product. As difficult as that may be to believe, take a few spins with "More Light" and you'll find a sharper, cleaner edge to songs that previously would have been lost in a maze of distorted mayhem. At the same time, however, the album never loses the intensity, earnestness and "from the heart" fret-work that characterize J. Mascis. His lyrics and singing style, as well, continue to evoke emotion in a way that no other artist has ever been able to do (at least no one I've ever heard). Check out "Same Day," "Waistin," "Back Before You Go," "Ground Me to You," and "Ammaring" to see what I mean. To me, this is my favorite J. Mascis album, one that the majority of Dinosaur Jr. fans will love. I never tire of playing it. And after seeing J perform it live a few months ago in Houston, I doubt that will ever change (If you ever get the chance to see him play, DO IT! He's absolutely unbelievable!)

Well, let me say that I love this CD. I had to listen to it several times before I liked it. Really liked it, as in listening to it 4-5 times in a row. It's that good. If you like Dinosaur and J Mascis, you will in all likelihood appreciate this album. I have been a fan since 'You're Living All Over Me' came to rock us all those years ago, and I still think J is a secret rock legend. I especially like 'Same Day' and 'Does The Kiss Fit' and 'Ground Me To You' but all the songs are brilliant. The songs burn,turn,twist and tweak. This is an exemplary album from ROCK'S SAVIOR!! It reminds me of all of Dinosaur's album's but it stands on its own two feet

Oh my God.......... I can assure anyone who is a Jr. Fan or for that matter, anyone who thinks they have heard guitars properly played before, to purchase this album! Sincerley, J Masis is a genius. For God sakes, how can an individual whom started on the drums, be so masterful at playing the guitar? OK, don't take my word for it: Ask Julianna Hatfield!

Simply put, this is the best album that J Mascis has created since "Green-mind." ENJOY!!!!!!

Somebody help me! I can't stop playing this CD. If you love guitars and Dino jr. songs of old, you won't be disappointed. Every song ROCKS!!