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Dinosaur Jr.

You're Living All Over Me (1987)
SST Records

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Contributed by: soulbleed
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 16th 2004

While Dinosaur Jr is most remembered for their mid-90's stint on MTV as a post-grunge band, their roots actually lay in traditional SST punk rock. Well, not really traditional, per se -- Dinosaur Jr were never really a 'punk' band. They were pretty close to Sonic Youth in terms of sound, but unlike their peers, they actually constructed meaningful songs to go along with all the noise they were producing. Lead vocalist J Mascis took the band on a rollercoaster ride, switching up styles for every progressive album and changing gears just when the sounds they were experimenting with were catching on with the rest of the music world.

They hit a creative peak early with their second album, 1987's You're Living All Over Me. It was their first record for SST, and definitely their best. Along with the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr. were responsible for bringing noise rock and college rock together, and this album was definitely the blueprint that an entire generation followed. From the opening hints of feedback in "Little Fury Things" to the amazing acessibility of "The Lung" and "Raisins," Dinosaur Jr. rock back and forth, experimenting with indie sounds and harcore punk and somehow creating a meeting point that worked out to the band's advantage.

You're Living All Over Me was a huge change of pace for college/indie rock. It was one of the first records to show that you didn't have to sound like Michael Stipe to be cool or creative, and it ended up being even more influential than anything REM ever produced during their lifetime. It may not have been as popular, but it's impossible not to hear hints of Dinosaur Jr. in nearly every rock record being made today -- and that's the bottom line.

[This is a must have for any fan, whether you're just a big SST head or someone who is currently discovering garage rock bands like The Strokes, Longwave, and whatever else is out there. It is currently not in print, but there are many ways to get this, whether it be Amazon or Ebay. It's worth every penny.]

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cannsaw (July 30, 2008)

Sonic Youth are fucking awful and the 'Saur are fucking legendary

scientistrock (April 21, 2008)

No Punctuation in Dinosaur Jr

thurstonXwhore (February 13, 2007)

"They were pretty close to Sonic Youth in terms of sound, but unlike their peers, they actually constructed meaningful songs to go along with all the noise they were producing."

Look up retard(ed) in the dictionary. You won't find your face there but you will find a good description of the way music processes through your ears to brain.

Dinosaur Jr. were just a generic alternative band; a poor man's Sonic Youth. Mascus' voice is dull, and he sounds like a 17 year old with a cold. The album put me to sleep the first couple of times and I had to make sure I listened all the way through before I gave up. I did. And I came to the conclusion that I was God, having been able to sit through it all.

Anonymous (January 23, 2004)

although i LOVE everything dinosaur jr ever did i would say green mind is my favorite of the older records and where you been is my favorite over all. j mascis is an inspiration.

joe from mock orange.

Anonymous (January 22, 2004)

I'm a fan of everything J. has done. Solid record.

soulbleed (January 21, 2004)

husker du? heh, they're a great band but they have nothing to do with the styles i was mentioning in the review (if that's what you're talking about)

Anonymous (January 19, 2004)

uh, what about husker du?

Anonymous (January 18, 2004)

This review was good, but here's how I'd make it better:

1. You say they were close to Sonic Youth - as close as me and my mom?

2. I love my mom.

3. What happened in Twin Peaks?

4. I don't get it.

Anonymous (January 17, 2004)

Just about everything Mascis does is great, up to and including his stuff with the Fog. This is actually the only Dinosaur Jr. album I don't own.

Anonymous (January 17, 2004)

their older stuff was nice but the later stuff sucked.....j. mascis turned into neil diamond

ElVaquero (January 17, 2004)

i do not like this band

notfeelingcreative (January 16, 2004)

Great album from my favorite band from 93-94!

Mr_Pink (January 16, 2004)

There's a whole lot of hyperbole in this review, but yeah, Dinosaur rocked. It wasn't exactly a one-band phenomenon, either. But I'll never forget when my 15 yr old ears heard Dinosaur (pre-Jr.) on the old Wailing Ultimate comp along with Volcano Suns, Squirrel Bait, Naked Raygun and all those others.

Anonymous (January 16, 2004)

all the dinosaur jr. albums up until "green mind" are essential. i'd say hold off on buying this though because i guess someone is remastering and re-releasing their sst albums and the deep wound songs (j. and lou's old hardcore band) with bonus songs and stuff.

TheOneTrueBill (January 16, 2004)

you reviewed a lot of records today

ilikebandssuchasopivy (January 16, 2004)

understood.