Ok, so by now if you know me at KCOU, you know about my little man crush on J Mascis. Whether from writing a fanboy concert review for the last Snocone, the fact that I looked like him when I had long hair, or the fact that I’ve started dressing like him now with the short hair, his influence on me is quite apparent. If you are unfamiliar with the man, J Mascis is synonymous with Dinosaur Jr., which basically became his solo project after Lou Barlow exited the group in 1988. Mascis and Dinosaur are credited with returning lead guitar to the underground in the ‘80s, and up until their official demise in 1997, they were the band to see if you had any interest in getting your eardrums skullfucked by raging guitar solos and distorted guitar drive.
In 2000, Mascis emerged from a 3-year hiatus when he released More Light under the moniker of J Mascis + the Fog. He had much to prove with that album to critics and fans alike—that he could still rock, that he hadn’t aged too much, that he hadn’t wasted away into a sweatpants-wearing couch potato, etc. With support on the album from Kevin Shields and Bob Pollard and with a touring unit that sported Mike Watt on bass, More Light proved these things and much more. The only difference was that his hair had turned gray.
With the new album, Free So Free, Mascis really has nothing to prove, and perhaps this is why it is slightly less exciting than his debut with the Fog. With help from John Petkovic and Don Depew of Cobra Verde, the new album basically sounds like what you would expect it to sound like. There is a theme of sorts: being free or having freedom. I’m not really sure what to make of it, but this theme and the words “free” and “freedom” play a major part in many of the songs (being involved in 3 of the titles). No, this isn’t J Mascis’ attempt at being patriotic in a post-9/11 world. Though I’m really not sure what it is. The press material that accompanied the album says Free So Free is a concept album about skydiving, but for some reason, I have a hard time believing that. I just don’t think he has the energy to get on a plane and jump out of it. I guess it isn’t that important.
What is important is the material on the new album. Being a fanboy, I obviously adore the songs on Free So Free, but to the casual listener, I would imagine the criticism being raised that it’s familiar or offers nothing new. Eh, I don’t care. It is familiar and that’s why I like it. “If That’s How Its Gotta Be” and “Outside” sound like they belong on Dinosaur Jr ‘s ’94 album Without A Sound. The others could either be on More Light or Dinosaur Jr’s final album, Hand It Over. The opener “Freedom” actually does have elements that are new to a Mascis composition, and it’s undeniably catchy once you get used to it. “Set Us Free,” “Bobbin’,” “Tell The Truth,” and a redo of “Everybody Lets Me Down,” a track featured on the Allison Anders film Things Behind The Sun, pick up where Mascis left off on More Light and are sure to delight. Free So Free isn’t revolutionary, and it isn’t the best thing J Mascis has ever put his name on. If you’re a fanboy like me or are just being introduced to Mascis, this album just might grab your attention.
- Mark Shelley
