Rocking for over 28 years, Dinosaur Jr. release their 10th studio album, I Bet on Sky. In order to full appreciate the new album, we walk you through their career with what we feel are the ten best Dinosaur Jr. songs.
10. “Over It”
On a list that is sure to be heavy on tracks from before the birth of Justin Bieber, it is important to note that Dinosaur Jr has not really had diminished returns. “Over It,” one of the singles from 2009’s Farm, is just as loud and fast as anything Dinosaur Jr ever wrote in their college days.
MP3: “Over It”
09. “Thumb”
“Thumb” is the power ballad of the Dinosaur Jr. catalog. Unlike most of their tracks that have a certain punk ferocity, “Thumb” takes a much mellower approach and it ends up sounding like a lot of late-90s emo that came after it.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Thumb”
08. “Just Like Heaven”
Dinosaur Jr. have a long history of covers, from Peter Frampton‘s “Show Me the Way” to The Flying Burrito Brothers‘ “Hot Burrito #2.” Their most successful cover by far is “Just Like Heaven.” Dinosaur Jr.’s take on the Cure classic hit #2 on the UK Indie Singles chart.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Just Like Heaven”
07. “Raisans”
From its punk beginning to its false ending into a key change, “Raisans” is really one of the more experimentally structured songs in the Dinosaur Jr catalog. Do not miss the tracks odd bridge which features ambient moaning vocals.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Raisans”
06. “Little Fury Things”
Masters of misdirection, “Little Fury Things” starts off in a fury of screamed vocals and noisy guitars before breaking into its fairly tame yet poppy chorus. Follow that up with a verse and guitar solo before ending. Oddly structured? Yes, but memorable.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Little Fury Things”
05. “Freak Scene”
For many people, “Freak Scene” was their introduction to Dinosaur Jr. It was their first single in 1988. The track actually charted in the UK, peaking at #7 on the UK Indie Singles.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Freak Scene”
04. “Start Choppin”
“Start Choppin'” was Dinosaur Jr’s highest charting single in the US. The track peaked at #3 on the US Modern Rock charts in 1993. It is easy to see why the track would be popular; it features a catchy guitar riff and J. Mascis’ finest falsetto on the chorus.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Start Choppin”
03. “Whatever’s Cool With Me”
The chugging guitars and double-bass drums, “Whatever’s Cool With Me” sounds like it should be scorching rock track but everything levels out for one of Mascis’ most memorable choruses.
Video: Dinosaur Jr. “Whatever’s Cool With Me”
02. “Feel The Pain”
Released at the height of alternative rock, “Feel The Pain”‘s video was directed by Spike Jonze and in regular rotation on MTV. Although it may be one of the quietest Dinosaur Jr. songs, for people of my generation, “Feel The Pain” is the definitive Dinosaur Jr. single.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “Feel The Pain”
01. “The Wagon”
If you were going to introduce some one to Dinosaur Jr., “The Wagon” seems like the most obvious track to show them. The track has all the hallmarks of a great Dinosaur Jr. track: Mascis’ whiny vocals, massive guitar solo, and catchy chorus.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr. “The Wagon”
Not one Lou Barlow track? For shame!
WHY DON’T YOU LIKE ME????!!!!!
Seriously, the noise that is “Don’t”, off Bug, should probably be here for the sheer brutality of it,
It actually came down to “Don’t” or “Thumb” making the list and I made the executive decision.