J Mascis - Circle 7"

Following on from his excellent solo album released earlier this year, J Mascis has dropped this 2 song 7" upon us. The A side is a cover Edie Brickell's "Circle" which I'd heard before from the Daytrotter Sessions and absolutely loved. Such a perfect song for him to cover you would think it was one of his own. Lyrically it just suits his depressive personality to a T. On the B side is "I've Been Thinking", a track leftover from the Several Shades of Why sessions. You can get this sludgy coloured vinyl now from Sub Pop.

  J Mascis - I've Been Thinking by subpop

Dinosaur Jr - You're Living All Over Me

I spent a few hours digging through crates and crates of records at a collectors fair on the weekend. This is just one of the many gems I found. Dinosaur Jr's classic second album from 1987 on SST Records. The very first pressing of this album still had the Dinosaur title on them but were later recalled after a lawsuit made them change the name to Dinosaur Jr. My copy has the Jr title but seems to still be a very early 87 pressing on clear pink vinyl. I don't usually go out of my way to chase original pressings if there's a cheaper reissue available but in this case I scored it for $10. There's a certain nostalgic feel to original pressings though. This record was bought when the album first came out, traveled around, maybe passed hands a few times, played at parties or in some stoners bedroom and now it's getting cranked on my stereo in 2011.

J Mascis - Several Shades Of Why

J Mascis has just released his first solo studio album on Sub Pop Records. Known mostly as the singer songwriter for Dinosaur Jr but some of you may be familiar with his drumming for Deep Wound, Witch and Upsidedown Cross. This is an intimate album of mainly stripped back acoustic songs, not usually the type of music I listen to but any fan of Dinosaur Jr is not going to be disappointed here. J seems to be at the top of his game lately with Dinosaur Jr's last album being one of their best so far and now this incredible solo record. I already know for sure that this will be in my best of 2011 list. The LP comes on purple vinyl in a beautiful gatefold sleeve, Marq Spusta's artwork is just perfect.

Best week ever!

Some of my my favorite bands are playing over the next few days. Can't fucking wait!

Dinosaur Jr - 12th March

Extortion - 13th March

Converge - 16th March