Several Shades Of Brilliance

J Mascis’ efforts in Dinosaur Jr over the past twenty-five years have been monumental. Yet whilst the slacker shaman busied himself shredding the minds and perforating the ears of grateful fanatics worldwide, it is his band mate and Sebadoh ringmaster Low Barlow who is renowned for writing the eloquent ballads. What with the thunderous rollercoaster of Dinosaur Jr’s two reunion albums and quaking live shows, it seemed likely to remain that way. But Mascis has always been full of surprises, and with Several Shades Of Why, he delivers an album that takes the plug out, instead ramping up the pathos, fragility and elegance, in doing so creating an achingly beautiful gem.

Listen To Me immediately throws you – Mascis standing on his own, his questioning vocals laid bare without the rambunctious rhythms of his day band. In fact it’s the notable absence of drums that is most prevalent here, placing all the emphasis on Mascis, his iconic vocals, and that acoustic guitar, which he wields with the same level of proficiency, bravado and nuance as his electric counterpart. The beautiful title track is all melancholy, heightened by some elegant picking and the haunting violin of Sophie Trudeau (of A Silver Mt Zion fame), whilst the rambling Not Enough has some jovial tambourine and there is a long list of guest backing vocalists such as Ben Bridwell, Kevin Drew, and Kurt Vile. It is savvy vocal interplay that elevates the toe-tapping sweetness of Not Enough, or the haunting catch-in-your-throat Very Nervous And Love. However these collaborations never take away the focus of Mascis’ innate brilliance at curling words, carving pop hooks, and even a beautifully iconic electric solo explosion in back porch crooner Is It Done? The influences of other troubadours such as Nick Drake or Springsteen lurk in the shadows, but this is decidedly Mascis’ show, one which we can only dream he will continue to bring to us for another 25 years to come.

Several Shades Of Why is out through Sub Pop in March.

J Mascis - Is It Done

J Mascis - Several Shades Of Why

And also check out this absolutely amazing video interview with Mascis!

J Mascis Isnt Done Yet

J Mascis' solo effort Several Shades Of Why (out on Sub Pop) is getting closer to launch time, and to have us salivating even more he's thrown us a second track from it. Its called 'Is It Done?', a beautifully whimsical acoustic number that still highlights Mascis' husky, strained vocals, but also surprises with backing vocals from Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell and a nice little bit of Dinosaur Jr-esque distorted guitar break midway through. This album is promising to be something quite special. And if you're Stateside, you can see J Mascis as he tours the country - first with Kurt Vile in March/April, then picking up with the Black Heart Procession in May.

J Mascis - Is It Done?

J Mascis Cant Get Enough

J Mascis has been riding some major musical waves this year, what with the Dinosaur Jr resurgence and his work in Silver Apples. But that doesnt mean he's been diluting his output - as can be seen here on acoustic number 'Not Enough'. Its the first cut of the forthcoming album Seven Shades Of Why, out in March on Sub Pop, and features the likes of Kurt Vile, Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell and Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mt Zion...). Cant wait.

J Mascis - Not Enough

Infinte Arms to Hold You

Ive already mentioned Band of Horses once here in the Glove Fits section. Well, the boys are coming at us with a 3rd album, Infinite Arms. Here is a cut from it. Muscular chords, earnest vocals - what we've come to expect, really.

Band of Horses - Compliments

The Glove Fits #4 - Band of Horses

The fourth instalment of The Glove Fits sees a band that will be touring here next month. Seattle's Band of Horses have had a meteoric rise to the top over the past few years, producing two of the most beautiful, intricate and unique (I expect backlash there - bring it on, I have it all to back my statements up!) indie folk albums of the past decade in the process.

When I first heard this track, it was early 2006 and I was trawling the internet, settling on the Subpop website for the first time in quite a while. It was a revelatory hour or so for me, as I also discovered bands like Rogue Wave, The Helio Sequence, Holopaw and Fruit Bats. But it was The Funeral that caught me, and still does to this day. Its simple melancholic guitar plaintively screams BALLAD!, and yet as soon as Ben Bridwell opens his mouth I was stricken. The production is glossy and seamless, the entire musical palette on hand permeating the speakers to overtake your senses, happily in awe at a song that indelibly is invoking the inevitablity of a funeral.

Honestly, I cant remember a song that I played over and over consecutively on first listen as I did that day. Liars' Scissor has been the pick thus far this year, and even so I only listened to it five or so times before plugging it in with the rest of my playlist, waiting eagerly for Sisterworld's imminent release.

Even so, when they toured Australia at the eve of that year, I opted not to see them, instead spending my hard earned dough on Tapes 'n' Tapes and the Mountain Goats. I am yet to see Band of Horses - and wont see them this time around either (the April 12 show at KOKO already sold out, and the June 9 show at the Roundhouse selling fast). Still, all I need is my headphones and the epic production values that make this song positively shimmer, despite its subject matter, and Im golden.

Band of Horses - The Funeral