J Mascis: Several Shades of Why

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT — after 25 years of squalling guitar rock with Dinosaur Jr and a slew of other bands (from The Fog to Witch) — J Mascis is just now releasing his first proper solo album, and that it's a laid-back acoustic record. But, after listening to Several Shades of Why, it's even harder to believe he hasn't explored this format more often. His maximum rock 'n' roll six-string shredding morphs exceptionally well into this album's earthy, forlorn picking, and J's lazy, just-rolled-outta-bed croon — set against the stripped-bare backdrop of acoustic guitars and cellos and jingling tambourines — is pure magic.