Music / Reviews
Review: J Mascis, Marble Factory
The virtuosity that J Mascis displays when he’s on stage is unlike that of many other guitarist in music. As he performed to the Marble Factory on Wednesday night, Masics remained stoic and nearly motionless as his Martin guitar emoted joyful, indie-folk hymns and powerful, nimble epitaphs.
With Dinosaur Jr and other projects, Mascis plays off his counterparts while melding and creating a unique indie-rock style. However, on his solo records he reveals a raw and complex musicianship where, in addition to his signature din and shine, feels sporadic and oscillates between acoustic, electric and chaotic.
This blend of raw acoustic-electric energy was especially present in his solo performance as he appeared on stage with only two guitars and a few pedals, but a sprawling back catalogue. Mascis sampled numerous tracks across his career, but payed careful attention to tracks from his most recent releases, 2014’s ‘Tied to a Star’ and 2011’s ‘Several Shades of Why’.
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In his most expressive stillness, Mascis allowed himself to blend syncopated harmonies and rhythms, while adding his signature dexterous solos. Each song built up, within itself, as if once another piece of the arrangement was added Mascis continued to push himself out into the world.
Using bluegrass, as well as Latin stylings, Mascis played with his tonality like a jazz musician and transcended the 80s and 90s indie-rock genre that he helped define by bending these other genre’s like the strings on his Martin and Jazzmaster guitars solos.
As a musician, J Mascis expresses himself without the flare that many lead guitarists do, but by engaging listeners with just his voice and guitar, he reminds everyone why is one the most iconic in the scene.
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