That Was The Show That Was: Dinosaur Jr. (Night 2) | Middle East

[Photo Credits: Michael Piantigini] When it is the mighty Dinosaur Jr. -- a Clicky Clicky Top 5 Band -- the second night of a sold-out two-night stand isn't "everything else." It's a celebration of beloved, ear-bleeding rockers, of losercore hits for riot nerrrrrrds (as the saying used to go), delivered with a visceral punch felt through the 30 or so rows of people that clustered in front of ourselves and KoomDogg as we made the scene almost-too-late but right on time. Opening with the gothic creeper "Bulbs of Passion" and "The Lung" back to back, even an even more reserved than usual J Mascis -- not much of a talker, that one -- couldn't dull the electric thrill of the reunited band's welcome re-return. Our colleague Mike Piantigini noted the exceptional versions of the originally "post-Lou" cuts "Thumb" and "Get Me" performed on Night 1, and we were again treated to the epic tracks. "Thumb," which percentage-wise is more guitar solo than song, was given a stirring reading, despite Mr. Mascis' almost comically dour demeanor.

Ostensively in the proverbial house to promote the trio's latest set of rockers, Farm, Dinosaur Jr. delivered a handful of new cuts, including the upbeat almost-anthems "Over It" [awesome video here] and album-opener "Pieces." The crowd predictably filled the brief pauses between tunes with enthusiastic applause, so Mascis' lack of interest in chatter didn't stick out. Bassist Lou Barlow -- who opened both evenings with his Lou Barlow and The Missing Men, and is promoting a record of his own that streets Tuesday -- was his usual animated self, announcing over and over and over that a particular classic cut that has just been performed had been recorded here in Cambridge, Mass., which he thought was as funny as the fact that the following cut was recorded in Amherst. Perhaps Mr. Barlow was just glad to be back in a city he had called home at one point, as Dinosaur is only relatively recently back from a jaunt abroad which lasted from late August through the end of September. Anyhow, we were glad to have Dinosaur back in our town, and look forward to seeing them a lot more.

Read Mike Piantigini's coverage of Night 1 at the Middle East right here.

Dinosaur Jr. -- "Severed Lips (Live)" -- Daytrotter Session (June 9, 2009)
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Previous Dinosaur Jr. Coverage:
That Was The Show That Was: Dinosaur Jr. (Night 1) | Middle East
YouTube Rodeo: Dinosaur Jr.'s "Been There All The Time" In Paris
That Was The Show That Was: Built To Spill, Dinosaur Jr, Meat Puppets
YouTube Rodeo: Dinosaur Jr.'s "Puke And Cry" Live
YouTube Rodeo: Under-Rated Dinosaur Jr. Or "Whatever"
NotYouTube Rodeo: Dinosaur Jr. Live At Amoeba Music
That Was The Show That Was: Dinosaur Jr. | Urban Outfitters