Dinosaur Jr.
I Bet On Sky
Jagjaguwar
I Bet On Sky is Dinosaur Jr.βs third album by the reunited original line-up of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph. Opening track βDonβt Pretend You Didnβt Knowβ includes some unexpected synthesizer and a piano melody that comes in mid-song. Classic Dinosaur Jr. elements are still there with Mascisβ ragged croons, and heartfelt whines, comforted by falsetto backing vocals and tremolo-picked guitars. You have to wait until the second track, βWatch the Corners,β to hear the full Dinosaur Jr. sound complete with wailing guitar solos.
Some of the songs have repetitive guitar riffs and vocals that canβt sustain interest for their full length. The repetition works better on the shorter track βPierce the Morning Rain,β even though the rhythm and guitar riff remind me of the βName Gameβ song.
Barlowβs Grunge-pop tune βRudeβ is a refreshing change mid-album. Unfortunately Barlowβs other song, βRecognition,β sounds a lot like a Queens of the Stone Age song with a J Mascis guitar solo thrown in.
The album ends with one of the best and longest tracks, βSee It On Your Side,β featuring exuberant Neil Young inspired guitar solos throughout, and ending with one solo over two minutes long.
I Bet On Sky is comparable in sound to Dinosaur Jrβs last two albums Beyond (2007) and Farm (2009), although the songs are not as strong. The weaker cuts are redeemed by the guitar solos. This album is a little more subdued than their previous ones, but overall it will not surprise or disappoint fans.
Jen Vasey (Twitter @jenvasey)
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DINOSAUR JR. – I BET ON SKY
Jen Vasey