Published Apr 19, 2021
8
Thirty-six years in and it s finally time to rightfully name Dinosaur Jr. the AC/DC of indie rock. While each have maintained a hefty career and undying fan base simply by sticking to a specific formula, the Amherst, MA trio s shifting sound would only be precipitated by the influx and departure of band members, much like their Aussie counterparts.
Sweep It Into Space, the band s 12th studio album and first in five years, benefits from the solid lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph the band s founders who have appeared on every LP since their 2005 reformation. Set into motion at the end of 2019, the 12-track LP was originally slated to feature major contributions and co-production from singer-songwriter Kurt Vile along with keyboards from longtime collaborator Ken Maiuri. But as the pandemic hit North America, the trio instead hunkered down in their regular Bisquiteen Studio to record, with Mascis playing many of the riffs intended for Vile.