ALBUMS THAT WONT FCK YOUR FACE OFF IN 2011: J MASCIS’ SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY*

January 24th, 2011 at 2:30pm
Gary Suarez

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ALBUMS THAT WONT F*CK YOUR FACE OFF IN 2011: J MASCIS’ SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY J Mascis
Several Shades Of Why
Label – Sub Pop Records
Release date – March 15, 2011

The album I’m most excited about this year isn’t even a little bit metal, even though it comes from someone who’s made a career out of ear-splitting, squealing guitarwork through amps set to eleven. I’m talking, of course, about Dinosaur Jr. axeman and vocalist J Mascis, who finally delivers his first ever proper solo album in March through good ol’ Sub Pop Records. Whereas his previous non-Dino work has included the plugged-in rock of J Mascis & The Fog, the retro-stoner slog of Witch, and chants to Hindu spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, Several Shades Of Why is essentially a man and his acoustic guitar.

Comparisons between Mascis and rock-and-roll legend Neil Young have been made ad nauseum due in no small part to the respective similarities in their otherwise unique voices. Still, many of those who point out the commonalities have used Young’s work with Crazy Horse as a reference point. At last, we’ll be able to hear Mascis without the wailing waves of distortion, stripped back and exposed as a singer-songwriter. Will the comparison hold? Pre-release single “Not Enough”–which you can check out right now–seems to suggest so. Below, check out tour dates for Several Shades Of Why.

Listen.

3.10.2011 Ithaca, NY – Castaways *
3.11.2011 Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
3.22.2011 Brattleboro, VT – Headroom Stages
3.23.2011 Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live *
3.24.2011 New York, NY – The Mercury Lounge *
3.25.2011 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg*
3.26.2011 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall *
3.30.2011 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop *
3.31.2011 Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig *
4.1.2011 Chicago, IL – Subterranean *
4.2.2011 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry *
4.7.2011 Atlanta, GA – The Earl *
4.8.2011 Athens, GA – The Melting Point *
4.9.2011 Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle *
4.10.2011 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle *

4.29.2011 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern **
4.30.2011 Portland, OR – Dante’s **
5.3.2011 Santa Cruz, CA – Crepe Place**
5.4.2011 San Francisco, CA – The Independent **
5.5.2011 Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar **
5.6.2011 Echo Park, CA – Echo **
5.7.2011 San Diego, CA – The Casbah **