J Mascis has worked hard to make himself one of the most respected and recognisable musicians to emerge from the USA’s underground rock scene. He is of course most famous for his work with seminal alt-rock band Dinosaur Jr. and his famous “monolithic” guitar riffs.
His latest release, 'Several Shades of Why', is however an entirely different creature from anything that Mascis has previously released. Showcasing a rare delicacy, this record is Mascis’ first true solo effort and judging by its quality it’s been far too long a wait for it to arrive.
Composed predominantly of simple acoustic and Mascis’ brusque croons, 'Several Shades of Why' is a record that reveals itself slowly over time. Although it sounds great upon first listen this album only gets better the more you devote your ears to it. Although it is musically stripped down there are some wonderful intricacies that really make this record stand out. Take the penultimate 'Can I?' which, alongside gently picked acoustic guitar, features some jarring electric to create a song that whilst still completely in tune with the folksy vibe of the album as a whole is different enough to add a bit of variety as well as something that is musically affecting. 'Very Nervous and Love' meanwhile features mandolins and keys alongside it steady acoustic strums. The musical highlight though is surely the soaring guitar solo that closes the album on 'What Happened'. It is a burst of overdriven energy that unexpectedly brings the album to a conclusion at its most beautiful moment.
Mascis’ voice on this record is perhaps the most important addition however. Whereas in Dinosaur Jr he has occasionally sounded like he’s shredding his vocal cords in a blender (in a good way), on this album his voice remains restrained but still overwhelmingly passionate throughout. The combination of his voice and the folk vibe present throughout makes this album sound a little like Eddie Vedder’s contributions to the 'Into the Wild' soundtrack a few years back and, like the solo efforts of the Pearl Jam man, the songs present here present a front that is both suitably introspective and enjoyably expansive. The songs don’t feel constrained by the parameters that bind so many singer-songwriters, despite the fact that tracks like 'Listen to me' and 'Not Enough' barely feature any notable instrumentation.
'Several Shades of Why' does not sound like Mascis deliberately reining in his tendencies to write music that is different and experimental, merely as if it is the result of a choice to pare things back and lend his work a subtler edge. Lyrically the record features tales of love, wonder and loss but remains refreshingly uncomplicated throughout. 'Listen to Me' sees Mascis proclaim that ‘waiting’s what we do’ and 'Too Deep' seemingly communicates an acceptance of romantic failure with "I just stared but not a peep, you walked by it gets too deep". Never choosing to move into the abstract helps the record maintain its focus and a curious intensity that makes it a placid yet involving listen.
Overall J Mascis should be congratulated for this record. Not only is it one of the finest folk/singer-songwriter records of recent times but it is also a sign that this alt-rock icon is not losing his writing touch. Whether this record is Mascis showing that he has now matured beyond his roots or that he just has the hunger for something new is not clear but what is clear is that the wait for his second solo record starts now.
Album Rating: 9/10
'Several Shades of Why' is out now on Sub Pop. J Mascis plays London’s Garage on the 14th April.
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Composed predominantly of simple acoustic and Mascis’ brusque croons, 'Several Shades of Why' is a record that reveals itself slowly over time. Although it sounds great upon first listen this album only gets better the more you devote your ears to it. Although it is musically stripped down there are some wonderful intricacies that really make this record stand out. Take the penultimate 'Can I?' which, alongside gently picked acoustic guitar, features some jarring electric to create a song that whilst still completely in tune with the folksy vibe of the album as a whole is different enough to add a bit of variety as well as something that is musically affecting. 'Very Nervous and Love' meanwhile features mandolins and keys alongside it steady acoustic strums. The musical highlight though is surely the soaring guitar solo that closes the album on 'What Happened'. It is a burst of overdriven energy that unexpectedly brings the album to a conclusion at its most beautiful moment.
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