Thursday 10 May 2007

DINOSAUR JR – FEEL THE PAIN (BLANCO Y NEGRO)


DINOSAUR JR – FEEL THE PAIN (BLANCO Y NEGRO)

In some quarters unfortunately because of the Spike Jonze music video attached to this single and the MTV airplay to a certain generation of alternative rock fans, the ones that missed the point and boat, this is the best known Dinosaur song. And while it is not a bad Dinosaur song at the same it is not a great Dinosaur song.

As it chunders along there is something of a lethargic ice cream van music feel attached to the slow guitar picking from J. he drawls in his trademark tone about “feeling the pain of everyone” sounding sarcastic in his apparent concern. When he then concedes that he “feels nothing” you can’t help but think he is taking the piss out of the touchy feely sensibilities of the caring alt rock icons of grunge and generation. The fact that he is now playing (urban) golf in the video can only serve to display how things move on. From one perspective it feels very lazy but at the same time the idle opening serves as an ideal route to the blistering turn about of face for the chorus. If nothing else you know and have memorised this song in minutes.

With Mike Johnson once more on board but Murph now gone “Feel The Pain” serves incredibly well as the opening (and only) single from “Without A Sound” also serving as the first song on the album.

Backing up on the CD single are “Get Out Of This” (no words just solo) and an acoustic solo version of “Repulsion” by J. himself recorded at CBGBs with the former being a plodder and the latter being a trudger. Actually this statement is slightly harsh about the version of “Repulsion” as J. puts in his best turn/effort at being Neil Young when really his voice sounds amazing, emotional and distinguished in its own way making it unnecessary for him to be aping anyone, although it does fall apart at the end. This is a true hidden gem buried on a crap format.

Finally hats off for the cover and a pretty literal example of feeling the pain.

Thesaurus moment: ripened.

Dinosaur Jr
Blanco Y Negro

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