A letter from a German drummer, imploring us all (well specifically The Song Sommelier and our Discerning Listeners) to spend more time in the company of one tempestuous trio that blend together to make a beautiful racket. Nothing prehistoric whatsoever about Dinosaur Jr. Hear it for yourselves. Don’t wait 30 years to be convinced!
A letter from Germany, regarding Dinosaur Jr.
Dear Song Sommelier
I met you in the Canadian Rockies, around September 1993. We were both coming from the same craziness about a band called Queen (though to be fair out of the both of us, only you have a Freddie Mercury statue at home!). During our trip, driving around in the Oldsmobile, I introduced you to Dinosaur Jr. This was a band I - a drummer from Münster - much admired, as we were deep into the ‘grunge’ years.
After all these years you still never listened to Dinosaur Jr. did you?
In your decision to continue to be a Queen fan, I much admire you. I also enjoy your music site too (what took you so long?). However, I do feel there is a band missing from your artist pages! Guess who?
When we discussed music back then (so much discussion over so many beers!) you asked me this: how do you go from Queen to Dinosaur Jr? (musically speaking). Interesting question. I never did answer you (perhaps we were distracted by that grizzly bear on Whistler Mountain, haha!). Well, it’s about time I answered you, so I took my time and sipped on a few good drinks to figure something out that you might this time pay attention to!
Music is about emotion. My musical awakening was around 1983/1984 with songs like ‘Radio GaGa’, ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘A Forest’ by The Cure (you see in many ways I was musically some way ahead of you!).
Then, in 1987 the raw, pure (and revolutionary) ‘Appetite for Destruction’ by Guns N’ Roses just blew me away. But after that, out of the blue, ‘Freak Scene’ from Dinosaur Jr. crashed into my music radar (probably at a party I cannot remember). It was soooo different! How could this happen?
Looking back to the triangle of Queen, Bruce Springsteen and The Cure, for me Dinosaur Jr. is bringing all of this together. Yes, I am a crazy German drummer. But think about it: the complexity of early Queen with very melodic drums and just the right amount of guitar solo, the tight rhythm and groove of Bruce and the E Street Band, and the melancholy indie of The Cure. Do you get me?
After that…Grunge was just an evolution for me. I followed Dinosaur Jr. until 1993/1994 then lost them. But, I rediscovered them again! I read discussions about the line up - and that J Mascis is the one and only mastermind behind Dinosaur Jr. Some even say that it was not noticeable that Lou Barlow (Bass) and Murph (Drums) left in the early 90s. Well, to that I say Schwachsinn! And non-Germans can go to Google translate.
For me, the one and only line-up for Dinosaur Jr. is the classic threesome of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph. The 2007 reunion and onwards records prove that. Groove, rhythmic variety and complexity were gone when Lou and Murph had left the Band. J Mascis cannot play the drums like Murph does (no one can, take it from a German drummer!).
But wow, can Mascis play the guitar! Again, like nobody else. There is a good reason why Guitar solos went out of fashion in the last two or three decades. Most guitar solos were played not for the song but for the ego of the guitarist. But J plays guitar for the song, for the piece of art. Not unlike Brian May.
So you see, there is your answer. Sorry it took 28 years to explain in full, but I do hope that you - and your ‘discerning listeners’ - will now truly get where I’m coming from.
Your dearest friend and travel companion
Gilbert Peine,
German Drummer
And, I must add, just a little…
P.S.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
...Forget The Swan
The first record shouts “Here we are but we don’t know yet where to go ….“. Very mid 80s and reminds me of early The Cure and their ‘Three Imaginary Boys’ record.
Gargoyle You get a first idea of the future Dinosaur Jr - setting the fundament for the legend.
Little Fury Things
The opener on the record ‘You’re Living All Over Me’ slaps you right in the face to wake you up and then kisses with soothing melodies and in the end giving you more and more energy for surviving the day
Sludgefeast Motörhead meets David Bowie, if that could ever make sense. It does to me.
Raisans A must on every live setlist for Dinosaur Jr, and also for speeding in the US!
Freak Scene From the legendary Bug. Sometimes the best music is created when there is tension within a band. This is possibly where grunge really started.
Yeah We Know A song like a stampede, if you need motivation for running? Nirvana meets Guns N’ Roses.
Let It Ride Wanna know where White Stripes and Royal Blood are coming from?
The Post A dark song with atmosphere. Take great care with this one.
Whatever's Cool With Me Dinosaur Jr. next LP brought more variety in songwriting and even on this song...arpeggios!
Sideways Where have all the intros gone? Spotify didn’t kill this one!
Quicksand Barclay James Harvest could have been cool, if the songs were performed by Dinosaur Jr.
Puke and Cry The drumming gets more and more complex, but always supports the melody. Wonderful track for drummers.
Water Ever wondered where the Foo Fighters get the inspiration for those bridges, open chords and melody?
Muck Reminds me of early Red Hot Chili Peppers and hey oh, that’s no bad thing.
Green Mind Just nice Dinosaur Jr. song to enjoy and a title track from the album of the time I met the Song Sommelier.
J Mascis solo interlude
What follows are a few tracks without Lou Barlow and Murph. I love J Mascis solo Records ‘Tied to a Star’ and ‘Several shades of Why’. But in my opinion J Mascis is not Dinosaur Jr. To cut a long story short. These titles are more ‘FYI’.
Back to Your Heart
After Dinosaur Jr. soaked up the influences of a decade not being together, some bands they influenced came back around to influencing them, and this is certainly influenced by The Foo Fighters.
This Is All I Came To Do Springsteen in Dinosaur Jr cloth.
We’re Not Alone Singer-songwriter country style. Think Sheryl Crow with distortion turned up to...erm, 11.
See You On their 10th album Farm, Dinosaur Jr is quietly messing with their own style in a way that is both relaxed and just great.
I Don't Wanna Go There An epic song - did I mention that J Mascis plays a blinding guitar solo? Here is where he let’s rip.
Imagination Blind A new kind of composition for Dinosaur Jr, both a touch Alice In Chains and a little psychedelic too.
I know It Oh So Well
From album number 11 ‘I Bet On Sky’ Dinosaur Jr. was reaching the next level of composition and song arrangement. And on this track, Wha Wha thrown in for the hell of it too. By then (2012) a much underused and underrated guitar effect.
What Was That DJ goes back to the 80s. Hurrah!
Recognition London Calling meets the Foos! And vocals by Lou!
Be A Part
I Told Everyone
Lost All Day
By 2016’s Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not (album 12!) Dinosaur Jr were like well aged whisky - getting better and better. J Mascis psychedelic guitars, Murph's prehistoric stomp drums and Lou's tumbling bass all churned into reliable solid melodies. Almost an easy listening Dinosaur Jr. Who would have thought?
I Ran Away
The Garden
Take It Back
The latest singles from the new album Sweep It Into Space. Thanks to Dinosaur Jr. for energising us with your music. And for being the latest favourite band of The Song Sommelier!
Love and regards
Gilbert Piene
German Drummer