If
Farm lacks the element of surprise of
Dinosaur Jr.'s 2007 comeback,
Beyond, that's just about the only thing it lacks: in every other respect it is its equal, a muscular, melodic monster that stands among the best albums the band has made. Again, what impresses is a combination of vigor and consistency, consistency not only in regards to the songs on
Farm, but how it picks up on the thread running throughout the band's career, feeling as if it could have arrived in the early '90s, minus some subtle distinctions in production and attitude. As on
Beyond,
Dinosaur Jr.'s assuredness is striking;
Mascis may drawl that he "did it wrong" on the pre-chorus of "There's No Here," but once again his tongue is firmly in cheek, and any traces self-mythologizing slackerdom are steamrollered by the band's roar. As good as the songwriting is -- and it's as strong as it was on
Beyond, as
Mascis alternates between molten rock & roll ("Pieces"), fuzzy pop gems ("Over It" and "I Want to Know"), and churning slow burns ("Ocean in the Way"), while
Lou Barlow throws in two strong numbers -- the real rush of
Farm comes from the band's interplay, how the group locks together and rides the wave, sometimes taking upwards of seven or eight minutes to get where they're going. Although there have been imitators and disciples, this is a sound that's utterly unique to
Dinosaur Jr., and what's different about them in their reunion is that the group not only realizes their individuality, they revel in it, getting lost in the noise, and it's hard not to get swept up with it, too.