J Mascis plays Hopscotch 2011 Fletcher Opera Hall

It's hard to imagine a better title for J Mascis' first all-original solo LP than Several Shades of Why. The Dinosaur Jr. frontman has always been notoriously reticent to explain much about himself or his music, to the point where Internet memes have been created for his most awkward interviews. But he actually does address some whys and wherefores on these 10 acoustic-based tracks. He just does so indirectly and elusively—that is, in numerous shades rather than single clear answers.

"I'm not saying much, I tried hard / That's all I do," he sings on the album's title track, delivering the shy sentiment in his cracking croon. But he does say a lot, skirting issues of emotions, identity and effort in short, evocative phrases. It seems he wants to tell us something but isn't sure how. Just check some of the fear and uncertainty in the song titles: "Too Deep," "What Happened," "Can I". He says a lot with the music, too, strumming and picking precisely while adding small glances of electric guitar and strings, not to mention the little crevices and divots in his voice.

It's perhaps most telling that, even though Mascis brings in a few guests, including Kurt Vile and Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew, every note sounds thoroughly Mascis-fied, a product of his uniquely inscrutable brain. "Cause I know myself, and I can't take it easy," he sings on the aching "Not Enough." Mascis may not tell us everything about himself on Several Shades of Why, but it's a pleasure to hear him try. —Marc Masters

http://hopscotchmusicfest.com/band/j-mascis/

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[getmedjr]

I can't understand what he said, what exactly happened here?