Album Review: J Mascis, Several Shades of Why

Album for 'Several Shades of Why' by J Masics. Photo / Supplied

For those expecting the ear-splitting riffs similar to the ones J Mascis lets rip with in Dinosaur Jr. then take a chill pill. This album - his fifth solo record on top of his band albums and those with backing band the Fog, among many other projects - is a sweet, heartfelt and lilting set of quiet acoustic songs. The title track, with a wending, winding violin and Mascis's gentle pluck and strum, is delightful; there's a thigh-slapping porch song mood to tracks like Not Enough, and a pastoral folk-meets-Americana bent to Make It Right. Though it might get a little dull, and be in need of some venom for fans of his paint-stripping sound, Mascis shows he's just as adept at writing poignant songs as he is at making a racket.

Stars: 3.5/5

-TimeOut