J Mascis is not a man known for his delicate acoustic balladry. Indeed, it is rare to see any mention of the Dinosaur Jr. front man without some comment on his furious guitar solos or the relentless waves of distortion that have characterised his music since the mid ‘80s. It might come as something of a surprise then that the announcement of Mascis’ latest offering, an acoustic album of downtempo folksy numbers, has been so warmly received by his followers.
In fact, this record is not just a logical move for J Mascis but ‘Several Shades Of Why’ is the album I’ve been willing him to make ever since I first came into contact with his music, and I’m sure it’s the same for hoards of other Dinosaur Jr. fans out there. At the heart of Dinosaur Jr.’s best music, beneath its brutal physicality and sonic bravado, lies a vulnerability betrayed by Mascis’ wavering vocals and abstract but personal lyrics. The thick veil of noise that permeates Dinosaur Jr.’s music often feels like a barrier imposed to prevent the listener from plundering the emotional core of Mascis’ songs. What ‘Several Shades Of Why’ offers is a long awaited glimpse into Mascis’ well guarded hiding place.
It is not a coincidence that ‘Several Shades Of Why’ is the first album that J has released under his own name, despite producing a number of essentially solo albums in the past. Although enlisting the help of a number of collaborators (notably Kurt Vile and Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew), as he pleads “listen to me” on the opening track, accompanied only by a softly strummed guitar, it is clear that the focus will be placed firmly on Mascis from start to finish.
As the album unfolds, Mascis’ voice crackles with a weary experience that adds a new weight to his vocal delivery. Very little new ground is covered by Mascis’ songwriting, however, and for anyone with a passing interest in his previous work ‘Several Shades Of Why’ is unlikely to offer up any surprises. Still, J hasn’t lost his power to effortlessly conjure up catchy Pavement-esque hooks, and standout tracks Not Enough and Is It Done are irresistible.
Back in 1988, Thurston Moore famously sang about appointing J Mascis as the slacker president of the USA in Sonic Youth’s classic track Teen Age Riot. J might not be leading the pack in the same way that he was back in his heyday but ‘Several Shades Of Why’ is a perfect demonstration of how to age gracefully. This record is restrained and mature without ever feeling like a diluted version of former glories and throughout ‘Several Shades Of Why’ Mascis retains and celebrates his unique musical identity. Never has it sounded so good to hear a great artist finally slow it down a little.