Martin + Me

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Martin + Me
Live album by
Released1996
GenreAlternative rock
LabelBaked Goods/Reprise
ProducerJ Mascis
J Mascis chronology
Martin + Me
(1996)
More Light
(2000)

Martin + Me is a solo album by the American musician J Mascis, his first.[1] It was released in 1996.[2]

The album documents a 1995 solo acoustic tour.[3] The Martin of the title refers to Mascis's Martin guitar.[4] The album contains Dinosaur Jr. songs as well as covers of Carly Simon, Greg Sage, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others.[5]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB[8]
The Indianapolis Star[9]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[10]

The album received mixed reviews, with some critics comparing Mascis (both favorably and unfavorably) to Neil Young.[11][6][8] Rolling Stone wrote that "these bare-bones interpretations add nothing to the songs besides a new vocal and lyrical clarity, and considering the annoying nature of Mascis' nasal whine and the tossed-off quality of his lyrics, that isn't a good thing."[12] The Indianapolis Star opined that, "while Mascis doesn't have a singing voice conducive to an acoustic setting (though he's better off than, say, Tom Waits), his screechy Neil Young-like voice makes the best of it."[9]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks composed by J Mascis; except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thumb" 3:11
2."So What Else Is New" 3:43
3."Get Me" 2:49
4."Blowin It" 2:47
5."Repulsion" 2:54
6."Goin Home" 3:40
7."The Boy with the Thorn in His Side"Johnny Marr, Morrissey1:58
8."Not You Again" 2:09
9."On the Run"Greg Sage2:14
10."Keeblin" 2:36
11."Flying Cloud" 2:27
12."Anticipation"Carly Simon2:57
13."Drawerings" 4:30
14."Every Mother's Son"Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant3:02

References[edit]

  1. ^ Buckley, Peter (November 11, 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050.
  2. ^ Conner, Matt. "J Mascis on "Elastic Days"". Under the Radar.
  3. ^ "Dinosaur". Trouser Press.
  4. ^ "J Mascis Is Selling Some of His Guitar Gear". Spin. October 25, 2017.
  5. ^ Earles, Andrew (September 15, 2014). Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996. Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760346488.
  6. ^ a b "Martin + Me". AllMusic.
  7. ^ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958.
  8. ^ a b "Martin & Me". Entertainment Weekly.
  9. ^ a b Bacon, Scott (2 June 1996). "J Mascis 'Martin and Me'". The Indianapolis Star. p. I4.
  10. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 204.
  11. ^ Jenkins, Mark (May 22, 1996). "Bob Mould's Dour Gripes". The Washington Post.
  12. ^ DeRogatis, Jim (May 2, 1996). "Martin and Me: J Mascis/Year of Mondays: Mike Johnson". Rolling Stone. No. 733. p. 56.