10 Perfect Grunge Albums With No Bad Songs
8. Where You Been - Dinosaur Jr. (1993)
Dinosaur Jr. are one of those groups that rumbled along under the surface of mainstream success all throughout the grunge thing. Although they never received the same kind of attention as the Nirvanas and Soundgardens of the world, they nevertheless stand as one of the enduring foundations that hold up the monolith of grunge.
The band certainly released important albums before, Where You Been, but their fifth record marked a significant shift in circumstances and overall sound. Throughout the early days, they were hindered by constant line up changes. This resulted in frontman, J Mascis, steering a mostly unmanned ship for several years. Their fourth album had involved Mascis performing almost all the instrumentals and vocals himself, as well as the mixing .
This album, however, contained a full band. It's a record of roaring guitar parts and plenty of feedback, but there are many moments that exhibit a more melodic side to the group. Mascis' distinctively pained vocals, make every lyric sound like they've been drawn from the depths of his soul. But his chops as a guitar player are where he really shines. Even in the early days, he was renowned as an axeman, and was propositioned to join Nirvana by Kurt Cobain.