Heavy Rotation: Week Ending September 11, 2009

01. Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer, (Jagjaguwar.2009)
02. Doves – Kingdom of Rust, (Astralwerks/Heavenly.2009)
03. Dinosaur Jr – Farm, (Jagjaguwar.2009)
04. The Blue Nile – A Walk Across The Rooftops, (A&M.1984)
05. Naked Raygun - Throb Throb, (Positive.1985)
06. Subhumans – Death Was Too Kind, (Alternative Tentacles.2008)
07. Paramore – Riot!, (Atlantic.2007)
08. Jonathan Smith – Radio Free Raytown #8, (podcast.2009)
09. The Cult – Love, (Beggars Banquet.1985)
10. David Bazan – Curse Your Branches, (Barsuk.2009)

The second comeback record (Farm) by Dinosaur Jr is replete with simple-mumble-jumble melodies and pure indie-rock-guitar-hero domination. It is about 5x better than it's predecessor (2007's Beyond), and that's saying the proverbial something. Opening track "Pieces" informs the listener to what is going to come over the next twelve songs. Barlow and Murph lay down a super steady, yet energetic, rhythm, while J Mascis rips riffs off like old dirty, stained wallpaper. Farm is filled with what we Dino Jr fans love: that melancholy-rock exuberance paradox; flashes of hope in the loneliness. It is in the melody or the guitar work - a lot of times, both. This is seasoned veteran leadership, this is middle-finger-to-the-trends, this is homage to the greats, this is fucking kick ass. Still, all this energy-through-dirt-amps-guitar-rock can get a bit much - you have to be in the mood. The best: "Plans" is an arpeggio drenched "ballad" of sorts; "Your Weather" is a Barlow track with a soaring chorus; "Over It" is a slab of messy power pop with hooks to match; "There's No Here" is blistering post-punk-metal. Now, only if Bob Mould could reclaim that Sugar sound.

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