Albums to watch

Tied To A Star

J Mascis

Tied To A Star

The third solo album from the Dinosaur Jr alt.rock mainman is another stripped back affair

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Sub Pop
UK Release date
25/08/2014
US Release date
26/08/2014
  1. 10.0 |   God Is In The TV

    It’s a captivating listen, and one that may be a great evolutionary leap. J is certainly no dinosaur on this showing
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  2. 8.1 |   Paste Magazine

    There is a little something for even the most diehard decrier of Mascis’ softening up here
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  3. 8.0 |   NME

    A more organically toned collection that proves the grey wizard doesn’t need heavy distortion to stay at the top of his game
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  4. 8.0 |   Q

    This is a charming side-step from a significant latterday voice of America. Print edition only

  5. 8.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    He’s imperfect yes, but also familiar and beautiful. Just like ‘Tied to a Star’
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  6. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    Demonstrates that J Mascis’ songwriting doesn’t rely on volume but on his apparently effortless ability to write emotive music
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  7. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Perhaps a little too understated for casual fans, but undeniably swoonsome, all the same
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  8. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    The tranquility of solitude, in fact, turns out to be a genuine boon for J’s unique muse. Who’da thunk it?
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  9. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Haunting, sun-dappled strums from Dinosaur Jr main man. Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    The warmth and wisdom in Mascis’ voice beckons the listener in
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  11. 8.0 |   All Music

    J. Mascis is developing a distinct persona for his solo work, and so far it dovetails nicely with his other projects
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  12. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    As raw and immediate as Mascis' efforts with Dinosaur Jr, embracing ten unhurried and spacious songs about fleeting love and flailing happiness, all plucked and shredded by a beloved veteran spirit.
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  13. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    A fine accompaniment to Several Shades of Why
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  14. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Mascis is now as skilled at quiet as he is with loud
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  15. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    Does enough to please the faithful while also encouraging new listeners to explore what's turning out to be a stellar back catalogue
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  16. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Mixes of John Fahey-like acoustic work with occasional brief bursts of electric shredding. Print edition only

  17. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    With the exception of the decibel levels, none of these songs find Mascis seeking to reinvent his own trusty wheels
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  18. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    His effortless way around a guitar melody is the stuff unwise crushes are made of
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  19. 6.7 |   Consequence Of Sound

    These are very good songs that bear all the marks of the elder statesman’s voice
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  20. 6.4 |   Pitchfork

    There’s nothing embarrassing here, just a few miscalculations amid some typically strong material, but Mascis has proven that he can muster more joyous ingenuity and imagination than he does on Tied to a Star
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  21. 6.2 |   Earbuddy

    Mascis fans will find things to enjoy, but beyond a couple of choice cuts Tied to a Star is nothing more than a playground for J’s ideas to cavort and experiment
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  22. 6.0 |   The 405

    It is worth a listen but won't hang around in the memory for long, which is not what we've come to expect from a legend like this
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  23. 6.0 |   DIY

    It can’t match the drive and power of his electric projects by its very nature, so it may well remain a release for the hardcore fans
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  24. 6.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    There’s a consistency to Tied to a Star (both sonically and in terms of quality) that deserves praise, but then Mascis, even at his worse, has always been able to produce enough good songs to make a decent recor
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  25. 5.5 |   Beardfood

    If this was a Dinosaur Jr. album, it would kick ass. It could be so much more
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J Mascis: Tied To A Star

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Me Again £0.99
  • 2. Every Morning £0.99
  • 3. Heal the Star £0.99
  • 4. Wide Awake £0.99
  • 5. Stumble £0.99
  • 6. And Then £0.99
  • 7. Drifter £0.99
  • 8. Trailing Off £0.99
  • 9. Come Down £0.99
  • 10. Better Plane £0.99
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