You know from the website formerly known as Twitter how much I dug this. Could even end up being the first album to hit double digit plays for me this year...
Weird thing where most bigger review sites were giving this record more “ok to good” scores but some folks here were praising it. I really like the softer tones, as that’s probably more my speed generally. The steel and pianos give everything a bit of an Americana sheen, but everything remains J. It’s the most “Lucero” album he’s had, that I’ve heard and I think it’s pretty fantastic. I absolutely noticed the “solos at the end of every track” and chuckled about it, but the thing is - they all rip.
10,000 Substack music writers can’t be wrong! Okay maybe it was 5 (so far). But clearly I’m supposed to prioritize listening to this one. Consider it done. Great review.
There is an epic awesome concert venue just out of town from me (about a 45min drive). It is a barn out in the middle of nowhere that has been renovated into such a cool music space! https://www.codfishhollowbarnstormers.com/
Dinosaur Jr. has played there 3 times - 2016, 2017 & 2018. Every single time the tickets were sold out immediately! Like day one within a couple of hours or less. Maybe this year J Mascis will be back? And this year, I have an in with someone who can get tickets to sold out shows LOL!!
I could listen to j mascis play guitar forever and would be disappointed if he didn't insert solos in pretty much every song. Lucky to have him still doing it.
I think it's all about the personal connection to the music and meta assessments of good vs. bad are quite useless. Which is why this is a great "review".
Well, you know I agree with you on this one, Kev. It is interesting how we proud few Substack writers seem to love it, but pitchfork and many other publications (except Uncut, who also love it) think it's just okay. I honestly can't imagine how anyone could listen to this album more than once and think it's just okay.
I can't imagine it either, but I also wonder if they were just hoping for/expecting something "new" stylistically, and that clouded everything that came afterward?
Thanks. Great read while listening to J’s new LP for the first time. Enjoying both. Take care.
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it (and the record too!).
You know from the website formerly known as Twitter how much I dug this. Could even end up being the first album to hit double digit plays for me this year...
I do indeed! Might be my first of the year too. Capsuna & J Robbins are gonna give it a run for it's money.
I'll have to check out those other two.
Weird thing where most bigger review sites were giving this record more “ok to good” scores but some folks here were praising it. I really like the softer tones, as that’s probably more my speed generally. The steel and pianos give everything a bit of an Americana sheen, but everything remains J. It’s the most “Lucero” album he’s had, that I’ve heard and I think it’s pretty fantastic. I absolutely noticed the “solos at the end of every track” and chuckled about it, but the thing is - they all rip.
Right? They definitely rip, and if it works, why reinvent the wheel?
10,000 Substack music writers can’t be wrong! Okay maybe it was 5 (so far). But clearly I’m supposed to prioritize listening to this one. Consider it done. Great review.
Lol. Thanks for the kind words, and let me know what you think of the record? Did all 10k of us get it right, or did we miss the mark?
The notebook!! I love it. You're what they call a nerd. And I mean that as a compliment.
Lol. Thank you!
Giving this a listen today!!
There is an epic awesome concert venue just out of town from me (about a 45min drive). It is a barn out in the middle of nowhere that has been renovated into such a cool music space! https://www.codfishhollowbarnstormers.com/
Dinosaur Jr. has played there 3 times - 2016, 2017 & 2018. Every single time the tickets were sold out immediately! Like day one within a couple of hours or less. Maybe this year J Mascis will be back? And this year, I have an in with someone who can get tickets to sold out shows LOL!!
I just checked that out, and it looks pretty cool! Not *too* far from here, either.
I could listen to j mascis play guitar forever and would be disappointed if he didn't insert solos in pretty much every song. Lucky to have him still doing it.
I think it's all about the personal connection to the music and meta assessments of good vs. bad are quite useless. Which is why this is a great "review".
Thanks, and yes, connection is huge. And as someone who's never picked up a guitar, I'm not sure I could objectively critiique his playing anyway.
Well, you know I agree with you on this one, Kev. It is interesting how we proud few Substack writers seem to love it, but pitchfork and many other publications (except Uncut, who also love it) think it's just okay. I honestly can't imagine how anyone could listen to this album more than once and think it's just okay.
I can't imagine it either, but I also wonder if they were just hoping for/expecting something "new" stylistically, and that clouded everything that came afterward?