What can I say? These guys have been my guys since first viewing "Little Fury Things" on YouTube (at work no less!) in winter 2008. That song pretty much blew me away. The sound of that song is mega and unique: it has heavy guitars in the background, yet the vocals from J Mascis are sensitive and quiet. This is their signature sond. J has become one of my boys, while Lou Barlow (bass player in Dinosaur Jr.) has become one of my favorite singer-songwriters. The funny thing, too, is that these guys reside in Amherst, MA- right up the road- so I feel a little more connected to them in that way. Since hearing "Little Fury Things", I have been addicted to them.
 

Dinosaur Jr. has inspired and influenced many, many rock bands. They were part of the indie rock movement in the mid-1980s along with Sonic Youth, The Pixies, The Breeders, and later on: Nirvana (pre-Nevermind). A lot of people say they sound like Neil Young, too, although I don't think that's a cool thing to say because Dinosaur Jr. are much more of a noisy, exuberant band. Sure, J's vocals bare a resemblance to Young's, but the whole lyrical matter is different. Nowadays, there are so many young indie bands that are ripping off Dinosaur Jr.'s sound, namely My Morning Jacket, The Whigs, and even The Black Crowes and Mercury Rev. However, no one sounds exactly like them and no one does what they do right now.
 

Luckily, Dinosaur Jr. has released a new album. On June 23rd, Farm was released (which I purchased at FYE). Two CDs can be found in the booklet, one with the twelve Farm tracks and the other with four additional bonus songs. The album- hands down- is one of their best albums and certainly better than their first comeback album in 2007 (called Beyond). The songs are sick, the guitar playing is loud, and the drums are more energetic and audible than ever. "I Don't Wanna Go There" has the potential to become my anthem for the rest of the summer- it's simply of the the best rock songs I've ever heard. This album has been a stroke of luck, right in time for the post-Jamboree concerts!!
 

Since I've been into them for about two years now, I don't see any let up. They are an essential band to me and will always be. They will be with me always. The fact that they're still going is awesome, too.