Dinosaur Jr.
Fossils

THE REVIEW

Extremely compact collection of the most banal, obvious, evergreen yet unique "hits" of a certain seminal American band.

The pearls of the "small dinosaur" are epochal cries that unmistakably define the scene of crazies, pseudo-intellectuals, and even ravers from twenty-five years ago.

The stylistic elements are unpredictable and inevitably provoke the ear with nonchalant and carefree ballads. The staggering, blind, unconscious pace of Mascis and the sometimes swaying rhythm section are completely disturbing. One can't help but be shocked by the surf/beat/mantra of "Freak Scene."

The compilation is dated 1991, up to the "Green Mind" period, and can be considered a "quick best-of," as it doesn't reveal the lovable/hateable jolt of "Where You Been."

"Little Fury Things" is Mascis's first love, thanks to that acid loop haze. They are incisive, something that is missing from some other realities.

The madness is evidenced by covering the Cure's "Just Like Heaven," where they casually throw in a soft growl on the bridge, and Frampton with "Show Me The Way." The fact is they have such an original touch that they manage to engage the moment they crank up the watts.

As I flip through these lo-fi gems once more, I wonder: "How the hell important was 'Nello Giovane'?"

"Throw Down" and "In A Jar" make me relive this sunset, imagining a watchful American expanse of coyotes. But it's just a deja vu, a mirage, because "Chunks" makes me catch my breath with frantic respiration, and I prefer to turn off the stereo of my mind.