Martin + Me, the first solo album from
Dinosaur Jr. leader
J Mascis, was recorded on his acoustic tour in the fall of 1995.
Mascis ran through a number of
Dinosaur songs, as well as a handful of covers (
the Smiths'
"The Boy With the Thorn in His Side," the Wipers'
"On the Run," Lynyrd Skynyrd's
"Every Mother's Son," Carly Simon's
"Anticipation"). On the surface, it would appear that
Martin + Me is simply a curiosity for dedicated
Dinosaur fans, but that isn't the case. Performed without the loud guitars and winding solos that dominate
Dinosaur's records, the songs are a revelation --
Mascis' songs do have their weaknesses, primarily lyrical, but they work very well stripped down to their essentials. He also has chosen a strong set list, featuring some of his best songs -- including
"Thumb," "Get Me," "Keeblin," "Blowin' It," and
"Repulsion" -- and his covers are surprisingly enjoyable. For dedicated fans, it is refreshing to hear
Mascis in such a spare setting, but
Martin + Me has enough charm to appeal to even casual
Dinosaur fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine