Released 15th March 2011 by Sub Pop

Chart Performance: Several Shades Of Why failed to chart in the UK.

What The Critics Said: “Mascis strips himself down to his bare elements to find that the real power in his work is as much in the writing as it is in the presentation.” American Songwriting

To most, J Mascis is the distortion purveying, noise generating, grinding, pulsing, piercing, deafening, thunderous, low-fi guitar icon behind the 90‘s cult heroes Dinosaur Jr. So, many were surprised to hear that J would be releasing his first official foray into the acoustic, with debut solo album Several Shades of Why. Gone are the amp shattering solos and droning slacker noise, here we have Mascis laid bare. It’s ten songs of melodic and stripped down soul searching, and in doing so J has managed to unveil his most accomplished, and finely crafted piece of art in recent memory.

Here his iconic laconic demeanor is exchanged for an emotional, tender and subtle comportment. ‘Not Enough’ (featuring backing vocals from Bands Of Horses’ Ben Bridwell) has a quant ditty and an intertwining vocal structure which flows fluidly through the listener creating a chirpy and chipper ambiance rarely before heard in a Mascis number. It’s a short song (like the vast majority here), but it’s nonetheless affective in it’s delivery. ‘Can I’ sounds like a throwback to many-a gloom trodden post-grunge track, but the optimism throughout adds a remarkable twist. Mascis’ voice is a broken integument of equal parts destruction and hope. His croaking and straining only adds to raw and fervent mood, making this one of the most emotionally affecting songs on the album. While the picking in albums namesake ‘Several Shades Of Why’ floats by with such effortless precision, gracefully placing the listener into a cool summer evening sunset, and simultaneously evoking nostalgic feelings of nothing in particular just, fondness and endearment.

Although predominately an acoustic album J can’t help but plugging in on a couple of points during the record. ‘Is It Done‘ sees Mascis plug in for one seamless and succinct moment for a solo that serves almost to remind us, as if it were needed, that as heartfelt as J can be, deep-down he is and will always be a rocker. The low rumble of the guitar builds, and falls as if it’s trying to be restrained. It’s like J has a ‘Jekyll-and-Hyde’ complex, switching in his ego states to the softer, emotional Jekyll and repressing the distortion of Hyde which has dominated his career thus far. This album is proof that J is affective, and more than capable in both fields, and is truly one of alternative musics unappreciated heroes.

This album is not Dinosaur Jr, it was never supposed to be. This is J Mascis, laying out his heart and soul for all to see. Mascis guides the listener through an effortless and pacifying forty minutes, which is as addictive as it is evocative. It’s yet another barrel in Mascis’ surprisingly large arsenal. The unlikely event of Dinosaur Jr rising from its own ashes and the proceeding two critically lauded albums seem to have put J in a good place. He is seemingly having a much deserved renaissance and is embracing his age, and his ability to create a more mature, increasingly prolific, incessantly creative J Mascis. The J Mascis which for an all too long a time we were missing. Adam Grylls