Search - Dinosaur Jr. :: Hand It Over

How does he do it?

Sean S McVity | North White Plains, NY USA | 12/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hand It Over is a brilliant, complex, diverse and fitting end to the Dinosaur Jr era. While I thought all the bad press from fans and critics for Without a Sound was hugely unfair, it's true that this album really shows a much more involved and dedicated J Mascis. With almost every track, Mascis has worked the song structure, vocals and instrumentation to their most intruiging possibilities. What defines this album is the variety and the particulars. The opener, "I Don't Think," leads off with a thunderous, bass-driven boom enveloping a falsetto vocal, then lapses into a wistful folky chorus. "Nothing's Going On" is a straight-ahead, slow-tempo rocker with heavy guitar overdrive and a straight snare-drum beat. "I'm Insane," one of the album's strongest cuts, features a loopy trumpet doing an off-key dance as the song switches between a dark stall and a manic chorus. "Can't We Move This" is the most probably the most satisfying track for fans of the middle albums, with a lot of slashing guitar work and the Marshalls set on Kill, again set against the fascinating counterpoint of an almost inaudible falsetto vocal. "Alone" is a three-chord feedback masterpiece which is the closest clone of Neil Young ever recorded by Mascis (and that's not a slight; it's brilliant in its own right). My personal favorite is "Loaded," with its agonized, gut-twisting vocal and chainsaw guitar line. The slower cuts, notably "Never Bought It" and "Sure Not Over You," are more classic Mascis, reminiscent of "Where You Been." "Getting Rough" is played on a banjo and might be taken as J's reflection on - and farewell to - Dinosaur Jr. This record really shows what music can be in the hands of determined genius; thank you J, and farewell Dino."

This is "Loaded" with good songs.

H3@+h | VT | 09/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There's some "DJ" fans who will only listen to their early albums, but I actually really enjoy everything they've done, and this is no exception. "Hand It Over" is probably most similar to "Without A Sound", which would make sense. In fact, "Nothin's Goin' On" is kind of the "Feel The Pain" of this album, to my ears anyway. "Never Bought It" is a great track, as is "Mick", and "Alone" has the old "Neil Young" epic feel to it. The only track that's a bit jarring is "I'm Insane", mostly because it has horns on it, which some may like. I'd say if you're a fan of 90's "Dinosaur Jr.", you'll want to dig this up. They do have a collection out also."

Last stand for Dinosaur Jr.

Paul Kath | Canada | 06/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This may be the most underated Dinosaur Jr album that J Mascis and co. would release. People had so-so thoughts about how this would turn out and it turned out to be another more exprimental album.Even though the sound is almost completely oppisite to the Bug/Where you been sounds it can still be something. The guitaring is there and so is the lyrics/vocals but the only thing different is the sound. It's nothing to complain about and it's nice to hear what J would try before he disbanded the group and went solo. This is alot like what J Mascis does with the Fog but with a more authentic Mascis trademark. Meaning it's what Dinosaur Jr would probably sound like today.There are a few filler songs on the album. Mick and I Don't think are examples. I don't Think isn't s very strong opening track to get someone into the album and Mick just kinda goes on and on. The last track Gotta Know and I'm Insane are my favorite tunes on the album. Gotta Know has a great sound to it and the it just ends the album very, very well. I'm Insane sounds more pop-rockish with the trumpet and harmless sound. While other songs like Can't We Movie this and I know Yer Insane is just POWER. Same with Loaded to a lesser extent.Either way, it's a great way to end what was a great group."