Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond

The new Dinosaur Jr. CD is a total throwback… THROWBACK TO AWESOMENESS!!!! Yes, Dinosaur Jr. is releasing their first album in 10 years, and their first album with all the original members since 1988. With their egos in check and dollar signs in their eyes, J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph have decided to let bygones be bygones and have joined together to release the wonderful album “Beyond.” There are no real surprises here, other than the fact that they still sound great. The songs are very distinctly Dino-like, with hooks and deafening loudness still being the main ingredients. J. Mascis’ insanely unfathomable guitar playing is the highlight of the album for me, allowing even the most mediocre of songs to rise to unparalleled heights. The first single, “Almost Ready,” sounds like classic DJ, the electric guitar immediately commanding your attention, and, although sounding vaguely familiar, catchy nonetheless. “Pick Me Up” is their epic track this time around, with another wicked guitar crunchy solo towards the end. “Been There All The Time” is another single from the album, and it relies on the stop-start pattern that the band had mastered back in their heyday. There are also a couple of Barlow tracks, and they’re good but basically forgettable when listened to within the context of the raunchy Mascis songs.

The album is officially released on May 1. They play The Phoenix on June 8^th, 2007.

Download:
Almost Ready mp3

Dinosaur Jr. on myspace.
Purchase the CD “Beyond” over at Fat Possum Records.

Trip Device - Inside I Feel

Admittedly, I haven’t been listening to a lot of harder edged music these days. I don’t know if it’s old-age kicking in or what, but it just hasn’t been my thing. However, I have been listening to Trip Device for the last couple of days and when you’re in the mood for the crunchy guitars and the screaming (but not irritating) vocals, than Trip Device are exactly what you should be listening to.

Trip Device are a San Francisco alternative rock band who specialize in aggressive catchy hooks as well as an extremely well produced sound, thanks to multi-platinum producer Sylvia Massy Shivy, who’s produced artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, System Of A Down and Love & Rockets. Their new CD, “Inside I Feel” is meant to be cranked, or even better, listened to in headphones. There is so much going on in each song, that it does bear several repeat listens to pick up on the many layers contained in every composition. For example, the song “Victim” clocks in at only 3:37, but I didn’t think it was possible to squeeze in that much atmosphere into a single track that doesn’t run into prog-like lengths. The tempo changes constantly, the vocals run the gamut from psychotic whisper to maniacal scream within seconds. My problem with most alternative rock these days is that it doesn’t take long to “get it.” Usually a minute or two into a song, and I know exactly where it’s going to go and even which rhyming words are going to be used. That’s what I like about Trip Device. You’ve got to be paying attention to get the full benefit of their music.

Trip Device are Bryan Wright: Lead Vocals, guitar, programming; Steve Ratcliff: Bass, backing vocals; Steve Slater: Drums, nerve center.

You can listen to the music of Trip Device on their myspace page.

You can purchase “Inside I Feel” here.

Watch the video for the title track.