Review Summary: The world's greatest reunited band puts out another fantastic album.
Occasionally, the most irrational ends up producing the best results, defying any form of logic. The relationship between original Dinosaur Jr members J Mascis and Lou Barlow had been legendarily dysfunctional, climaxing in Barlow's dismissal from the band in 1989 and living on in the former bassist's harsh words about his ex-band mate for a number of years. No matter how toxic the original band situation was, Dinosaur Jr's post-Barlow albums were nowhere near as wonderfully organic and alive as the old 80's output – Mascis soldiered on, releasing four somewhat more sterile and less noisy albums, at times capturing a bit of a band vibe with the aid of on-and-off drummer Murph. A reunion seemed out of the question – Barlow was angry at Mascis and busy with a variety of projects as well as solo records; Mascis kept doing his thing, creating solid (but not magical), melodic album after solid (but not magical), melodic album...
...until 2005. Dinosaur Jr's early records were getting re-released, so the guys got back together for a TV appearance to promote them. The process of reawakening the band took place in small steps – a few more live dates, a tour, then thoughts of an all-new full-length... and it somehow seemed to be working. Years later, Mascis and Barlow seemed to have gotten over their past differences and were making great music again. In 2007, Beyond hit the shelves. It was outright unbelievably wonderful – the magic spark that seemed to be lacking in Mascis's songwriting and the band's sound in general was back in place, and the years of additional experience and pursuing seemingly separate paths only added to the quality of the music. As rumors of another reunited Dinosaur Jr record started showing up, a question arose – would the guys manage to maintain the level of Beyond?
They did. In a way, they even got better – the band sounds much tighter this time around, it's really pleasing to hear just how “together” the guys seem to be. Beyond had moments that left the listener feeling that they guys aren't 100% confident yet, choosing to pick a more minimalistic option instead of attempting to make the songs as monstrous as possible. This is not the case on Farm – Dinosaur Jr hasn't sounded so convincing since the 1987 classic You're Living All Over Me. Just find the videos of live TV promotional performances of “Almost Ready” and “Pieces”, and you'll hear the difference. It all seems to have fallen into place perfectly... the musicianship is top-notch as usual, with Mascis continuing his phenomenal guitar playing and still treating listeners to his characteristic drawl, Barlow's bottom-end thunder somewhat more impressive than the generic bass work to be found on the majority of records, and Murph's drumming keeping it all together and providing a solid rhythmic foundation. With the completely recovered band vibe, all three essential components of Dinosaur Jr's sound are finally fully back in place.
The songwriting on the disc is stellar. Mascis, who supplies the bulk of the album, was never a lousy composer, but his better work was always created in a band environment, and the reinvigorated Dinosaur Jr is the best band environment the long-maned guitarist has had in years. Right from the aforementioned record opener, the listener is treated to rumbling bittersweet anthem after rumbling bittersweet anthem, the tunes managing to perfectly blend Mascis's characteristic melodic sensibility developed over the years with the booming power that only the original lineup could be held responsible for. Farm's songs have a certain mellowness that J has flirted with before (Without A Sound, or Free So Free during his Fog years), but here it finally shines like it was supposed to, creating powerful, mature songs and not a “sleepy man with a guitar and an album due tomorrow” atmosphere like it used to. Fishing for highlights is somewhat difficult, since every single song offers something memorable and different tunes will connect with different people. Out of personal preference, I'd point to “Pieces” and “Said The People”, the former kicking Farm off with gusto, capturing the listener with a number of unconventional chords creating a refreshing harmonic backdrop for a powerful, melancholic melody and the mandatory, impressive guitar lead. The latter feels like a heir to “Alone” from Hand It Over (1997), but unlike its predecessor it feels much more band-like as it slowly sways along, Mascis's anguished drawl of “Save me...” and the heart-wrenching soloing never becoming quite as overpowering as “Alone's” insane wall of fuzz, what works in this tune's favor. Every song has at least a bit of magic, be it “Ocean In The Way's” wordless chorus, “Over It's” infectious hooks (no wonder they picked it for a video), or “I Don't Wanna Go There's” monstrous solo.
Lou Barlow also contributed two songs to the record, and at first listen they stick out rather drastically, since he's always had his characteristic style (both music-wise and lyrics-wise) that differed from Mascis's tunes. “Your Weather”, the first Barlow offering to be encountered, ends up sounding surprisingly simplistic with its straightforward, uncomplicated rhythm and dark, detached chord progression. For all the listeners know, it could have been meant to be someplace else and wandered onto Farm by mistake. With repeated listens it starts making sense, there is a certain unifying factor with the tunes around it that isn't apparent at first. “Imagination Blind” has a simpler time fitting in – ironically, “I Don't Wanna Go There's” Where You Been-like rhythmical elements make “Imagination Blind” feel like a logical progression. An element of a non-Barlow Dinosaur Jr album makes a Barlow song blend in easier, who'd have thought... Lou's input is good, not exactly up to par with “Back To Your Heart” or “Lightning Bulb”. However, it's solid enough, and doesn't drag the quality level down.
Summing up, Dinosaur Jr managed to repeat the phenomenon of Beyond, further expanding on it with a rediscovered band vibe, which didn't seem fully in place on the previous record, and stellar, mature songwriting. Murph and Lou manage to give Mascis wings as he creates some of his finest tunes to date, this is the best band climate J has had in years. The songs are somewhat mellow, but for the first time in Mascis's career he manages to pull off a mellow album and get away with it, having it aid the songs and not detract from them. Barlow's input is less prominent, and sticks out at first, but eventually blends itself into Farm and adds to it by supplying a bit of variety. Beyond was wonderful, Farm is superb, and all we can do is happily watch the world's best reunited band continue making great music...
