Album: Where You Been
Year: 1993
My favorite Dinosaur Jr. album has long been 1993’s Where You Been, which was pretty much the only 1990s Dinosaur Jr. album to be recorded with a full band, meaning that J Mascis didn’t have to worry about doing anything but writing, singing and playing guitar.
You know, the easy stuff.
The result is what I think is his best batch of songs, full of great hooks, great vocals and — naturally — fantastic guitar. While there weren’t any punky singles like “Freak Scene” or “The Wagon,” they were replaced by Mascis fully embracing his inner classic rock guy, which my inner classic rock guy fully appreciated.
So we got songs like “What Else is New,” which is — now that I think of it — kinda structured like “Layla.” The first half of the song is all noisy lead guitar, and the second half of the song is quieter and sadder.
In fact, both the guitar and Mascis are exuberant at first, as he follows a searing lead by singing:
I’d like to see you
In the morning
In the evening
But you need a warningI’d like to see youuuuuuuu
It’s a last ditch
C’mon you gotta
Ain’t sayin’ there’s not a hitchWell, come on out now
It’s the only way
Can’t think I know how
Is that all you’re gonna let me say?
The way he sings the second “I’d like to see youuuu” with almost a yodel on “youuuu” is all cocksure, and his accompanying guitar is practically strutting down the street. He’s definitely gonna get his way. But here’s the thing: he has to keep asking. He has to keep pleading, and the second time he asks “Is that all you’re gonna let me say?” you suddenly realize that no matter how many times he asks, he’s not going to get the answer he wants.
The music takes a turn, still upbeat, but less cocky has he begins to realize that things aren’t going to go his way.
Won’t you come and see?
You’re the only one
So, what else is new?
So, what else is new?
And then the song just breaks down, leaving only an acoustic guitar — no guitar solo could convey what he’s going through right now — and Mascis’ cracked broken voice:
You got things to do
So, what else is new?
Meanwhile, the acoustic guitar has been augmented by ghostly strings and a freaking tympani, and the overall effect isn’t really “Layla,” as much as it’s freaking “Moonlight Mile” or some shit, and somehow “What Else is New?” becomes pretty much the saddest and loneliest thing he’s ever recorded.
You’re the only one
You’re the only one
You’re the only one
At the fade, the whole thing just kinda breaks down, leaving the strings and Mascis moaning softly, with even the electricity that normally powers his songs having completely abandoned him.
Fan-made video for “What Else Is New?”