When Dinosaur Jr reformed in their original line-up, it smelled like a money grabbing opportunity. First album in of the reformed line-up was a disappointment. Nobody expected much of the second one. However, when the sounds of Farm hit the Internet this summer, I had to re-examine my point of view regarding the new found companionship between the former foes Mascis and Barlow. Farm, just like Mission of Burma’s On Off On, captures an old band in a new found artistic height. Songs are wonderful, long, solos are gorgeous. An hour of pure pleasure is augmented by the extra disc (look for that exclusive release), where Dinosaur JR cover The Zombies and revisit old J’s acoustic pastiche Little Ethnic Song.
Tag Archives: Dinosaur Jr
Flashlite #65
Today we showcase several new names at The Little Lighthouse: John Paul Keith, Eichmann Family, Sweet Apple, Â The Hex Dispensers, Smith Westerns and D. Charles Speer. John Paul Keith comes from Memphis and has a band called The One Four Fives. About a year ago he put out the record called Spills And Thrills and it’s such a beautiful record, I can’t believe I missed until now. John Paul Keith’s band opened for Jack Oblivian in Cleveland and even more than that – they played the role of the Tearjerkers that night. John Paul Keith was also one of the Snake Eyes – the last band for Jim Dickinson before he passed away. Eichmann Family is another garage rock band from Zagreb – there are several very good ones over there. Sweet Apple is the new band for John Petkovic and Tim Parnin from Cobra Verde and J. Mascis and David Sweetapple form The Witch. Supergroup for the new millenium, isn’t it? Hex Dispenser are garage magicians from Austin Texas. Smith Westerns is a new band from Chicago and D Charles Speer and his Helix are from New York City – two new names that come from big cities, but sound much more provincial (which is a good thing at The Lighthouse!). And the last, but not the least, our favorites from a few years ago, Bassholes have a new LP, and it’s untitled again.
The Hex Dispensers – I’ve Got My Doppelganger On;
Eichmann Family – Daddy Doesn’t Love Me;
My Buddy Moose – When I Say;
Cobra Verde – Haunted Heavens;
Sweet Apple – Do You Remember;
Bassholes – Swannanoa River;
Bassholes – Caravan Man;
Steve Wynn – Outlaw Blues;
Rickie Lee Jones – Subterranean Homesick Blues;
Rickie Lee Jones – The Blue Ghazel;
James Luther Dickinson – Eloise;
Irma Thomas – It’s Raining;
The Detroit Cobras – It’s Raining;
John Paul Keith and The One Four Fives – Let’s Get Gone;
Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs – Dreaming;
Blondie – Dreaming;
Smith Westerns – Be My Girl;
D. Charles Speer & The Helix – Helical.
Flashlite #64
This show goes to all the gig-goers in Cleveland. I made it inspired by a busy week in which I saw live shows by The Meat Puppets, Ian McLagan, Dinosaur JR and Jack Oblivian. I had to miss Reigning Sound, but from what I hear, it was a great gig. We also have some new stuff. We represent two bands from a new generation of Zagreb rockers. My Buddy Moose, who we know from their self-titled album a few years ago and The Revolts. My Buddy Moose has a new album coming up next year and we hear exclusive tracks from it while they are searching for a publisher. Mike Watt has a new project called Il Sogno Del Marinaio with Italian musicians Stefano Pilia and Andrea Belfi. We also introduce The Revelators for the first time at the Little Lighthouse, although they’ve been around for some time.
J Mascis – A Little Ethnic Song;
The Zombies – Whenever You’re Ready;
Dinosaur Jr. – Whenever You’re Ready;
Reigning Sound – Trash Talk;
Meat Puppets – Look At The Rain;
Jack-O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers – Sweet Thang;
Jack Oblivian – Cigarillo;
Ian McLagan – So Lucky;
Ian Mclagan – Itchycoo Park;
Small Faces – Itchycoo Park;
Telefon – Putovanja;
Nocna Smjena – Vrtlog;
Revolts – Probudi se;
My Buddy Moose – Tonight;
Il Sogno Del Marinaio – Thema one;
Bob Dylan – Positively 4th Street;
Steve Wynn – Positively 4th Street;
The Revelators – Love One Day.
Flashlite #53
After four-week break, The Little Lighthouse is finally back. But not for long. In two weeks Radio SC is taking a summer break with re-runs, so this show will resume when they return in September. But let’s see what we have on today! Dinosaur Jr are back with a new album called Farm and it’s a good one! I must admit, I did not expect too much, since it seemed to me that their reunion was motivated by anything but pure artistic inspiration. I guess I was wrong. Greg Koons, who we praised for his great LA on TV song, finally has a debut record out. It’s called Welcome to the Nowhere Motel and it represents him as already developed singer-songwriter with a nice rock edge. Another songwriter, Willie Nile, who wrote some of the most engaging lyrics about New York City, is also back. The new album is called House of a Thousand Guitars. And then we have one more singer-songwriter, Ray Mason, the hardest working man in rock’n’roll who puts out at least two records per year, is back again with the new record Like Bugs Chewing on Paper and this time it’s a solo deal. Predrag Delibasic, multi-instrumentalist from Perth, Australia recently recorded a demo and a single, and it’s filled with very approachable, danceable but imaginative instrumentals, played on weird instruments. We end things up today with two live bootlegs that I’ve recorded in Pittsburgh using my mp3-player: Ed fROMOHIO and Grant Hart – two legendary SST musicians who need no introduction.
Clive Gregson & Christine Collister – As Lovers Do;
Scarce – Scorpion Tray;
Dinosaur Jr – Over It;
Dinosaur Jr – No Bones;
Cedars – For your information;
Elektricni Orgazam – Glave;
Predrag Delibasic – Leaves Falling on Lisbon;
Modern Lovers – Egyptian Reggae;
Greg Koons And The Misbegotten – Here She Comes;
Willie Nile – Run;
Willie Nile – Hide Your Love;
Ray Mason – They Don’t Make Records Like That Anymore;
Ray Mason – Sin Eater;
Lemonheads – I Just Can’t Take It Anymore;
Gram Parsons – I Just Can’t Take It Anymore;
Jack-O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers – Ditch Road;
The Moaners – Elizabeth Cotton’s Song;
Ed fROMOHIO Trio – In Memory of Elizabeth Cotton;
Grant Hart – I Knew All About You Since Then.