Search - J Mascis & Fog :: More Light

A huge leap foward

Paul Kath | Canada | 07/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With Dinosaur Jr behind him, J Mascis continues to do the solo act along with the likes of Mike Watt and Kevin Shields. This band is like an indie collective almost, with Mike being in the Minutemen, Kevin in My Bloody Valentine and J being in Dinosaur Jr (all this needs is Thurston Moore and they're set).



I heard many good things about this album. First good thing I heard was that J didn't change his styles of distorted, loud and heavy guitaring but what he didn't change he fixed. I heard that keyboards run through most of the songs and the last I heard was that the lyrics and vocals have lightened up.



All of the above was true. From listening to Same Day and hearing J do his trademark solos and scratchy vocals, I knew I was in for a treat. Wastin really changed the flow with the chorus that includes some original keyboarding, then we go where the album really picks up at Where'd you Go, which for some reason, reminds me of the old Dinosaur Jr. I think Where'd you Go is J's message to us after three years absense. Grand me to you slows things down a bit, sounds like the Dinosaur Jr from the Without a Sound era almost.



But the next track changes the whole album. Ammaring. It starts with some easy guitar and a keyboard running along with it, the drumming and base are unusually louder then usual. About a minute in J runs through the first solo which sounds slightly distorted then the song just bangs into another LOUDER guitar but maintaining the same easy flow. Another solo which fits the song more. But as J starts singing louder everything picks up then he unleashes the loudest and most powerful solo I've ever heard him so. It's crazy and very distorted. The whole song is just amazing to listen too. It's the defining song of the album, and I'm shocked that this wasn't a number one hit.



Then we run into All the Girls. A slower song that is also reminisent of the Without a Sound/Hand it Over era of Dinosaur Jr. Wait for the distorted middle that runs with a keyboard, that's awseome. I'm not Fine, the next track, is just pure guitar power. Along with a pretty nutty ending. But then things mellow out as much as they slow down with Can I take this On. This song is the nicest song I've ever heard J do. Includes a keyboard, banjo and a barking dog, simply harmless rock. Does the Kiss fit is another great song with a keyboard that runs through it. I love that track personally like Ammaring.



But J tries something new with the closing title track More Light. He (and Kevin Sheilds) completely cranks everything up too 10+ and just lets loose with LOUD distorted guitaring that I just can't define by typing. It's amazing and I think J should try something like that again.



J Mascis would go on to follow this album up with Free so Free which is a HUGE fall back from the pure power and energy this album had.



I recommend this album to anyone new to J Mascis or Dinosaur Jr."

True to the Dinosaur Jr. legacy

B Sharp | Texas USA | 08/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Dinosaur Jr. is now extinct, J.Mascis shows he hasn't forgotten where he came from on "More Light," his first album with new band, the Fog. From the opening crunch of "Same Day," the album delivers the intense sound, energy and emotive guitar work that have come to define J's work. In fact, after a single listen, it almost sounds as if "More Light" is nothing more than a follow-up to "Hand it Over," the last Dinosaur Jr. album. That of course would not be bad by any means. But after a second, third and fourth listen, it becomes apparent that J. has broken away slightly from the Dinosaur Jr. pattern and created an even better product. As difficult as that may be to believe, take a few spins with "More Light" and you'll find a sharper, cleaner edge to songs that previously would have been lost in a maze of distorted mayhem. At the same time, however, the album never loses the intensity, earnestness and "from the heart" fret-work that characterize J. Mascis. His lyrics and singing style, as well, continue to evoke emotion in a way that no other artist has ever been able to do (at least no one I've ever heard). Check out "Same Day," "Waistin," "Back Before You Go," "Ground Me to You," and "Ammaring" to see what I mean. To me, this is my favorite J. Mascis album, one that the majority of Dinosaur Jr. fans will love. I never tire of playing it. And after seeing J perform it live a few months ago in Houston, I doubt that will ever change (If you ever get the chance to see him play, DO IT! He's absolutely unbelievable!)"

Welcome Back J

Paul Kath | 09/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm the biggest basher of post Lou Barlow era Dinosaur Jr. around. I always felt that J lost a few steps after Bug and a few thousand after Where You Been. Sure the later albums had some cool tracks, but the majority was not good. This is J's strongest album in almost a decade...hands down! The production is fresh and clean (Kevin Shields! When is the next MBV album???) and there are some new sounds floating around which hit the mark. J, you've won me back to the fold!"