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I Bet On Sky

Dinosaur Jr

I Bet On Sky

Third album since reforming from J Mascis' long-serving alt.rock trio

ADM rating[?]

7.2

Label
Play It Again Sam
UK Release date
17/09/2012
US Release date
18/09/2012
  1. 9.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    Yes, it’s business as usual but nobody does Dinosaur Jr quite like Dinosaur Jr
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  2. 9.0 |   Spin

    Tthe sound of a great, influential band that, yes, picked up where they left off, but instead of luxuriating in the sentimental hue of the moment, got back to work and kept moving forward
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  3. 8.5 |   hhv.de mag

    The trio’s sound just outlives trends and years
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  4. 8.4 |   Paste Magazine

    It’s both a trip to the ’90s that could have been if the Mascis, Barlow, Murph line-up had stuck together and a revival of their collective rock roots, a crashing wave of unrelenting solos, hard-tossed vocals and gain-heavy grinds
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  5. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    Dug in, dialed in, and with the cruise control set on overdrive, Mascis and crew have nothing left to prove. Instead they just put their heads down, crank it up, and rock
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  6. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Be it maturity, empathy, professionalism, or what have you, whatever Dinosaur Jr.’s doing is working
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  7. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Reminiscent of the lighter direction that Dinosaur Jr embraced after the departure of Lou and then Murph in the mid- to late-nineties
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  8. 8.0 |   NME

    Loud, weighty but oddly civilised
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  9. 8.0 |   Blurt

    This record is not a J Mascis record with the Dinosaur Jr name slapped on it. No, it is a undeniably wholly Jr effort
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  10. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    I Bet on Sky sounds like an attempt to pick up where the band left off when it splintered at the end of the ‘80s
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  11. 8.0 |   All Music

    It's the variety and adventure that makes I Bet On Sky something more than another excellent Dinosaur record
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  12. 7.9 |   Pitchfork

    This is a kinder, gentler Dinosaur
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  13. 7.7 |   Bowlegs

    We’re not always convinced by the reunited – but in Dinosaur Jr’s case they obliterate any doubts – and with I Bet on Sky they’ve upped the stakes considerably. Whatever next?
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  14. 7.6 |   Beats Per Minute

    Even if the highs aren’t as high, like the rest of the reunited lineup’s work, there really aren’t any noticeable lows
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  15. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    In all, it’s as hugely fun to listen to as it sounds like it was to record, the album really being imbued with a sense of joy in creation that’s transferred effortlessly to the listener
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  16. 7.5 |   Prefix

    Instead of being an ambitious failure, and despite all of the fantastic moments, I Bet On Sky makes the potentially more damaging fault of being "just alright"
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  17. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    The band's formula is nowhere near broke, and while this tenth album might not necessarily expand on that greatly, it doesn't mean that anything about the band's music is in need of fixing
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  18. 7.0 |   Clash

    There’s evident enthusiasm throughout and, whilst sounding refreshingly modern, older fans will suddenly remember how much they’ve missed them
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  19. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    IBOS undoubtedly has a lighter touch than the early DJ efforts
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  20. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Still as compelling a mix of hardcore, jangle pop, country and speed metal as it was 25 years ago. Print edition only

  21. 7.0 |   BBC

    As ever, Dinosaur Jr. successfully marry heaviosity with a warm, tuneful sensibility
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  22. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    When you hear that guitar soar, those rhythms pulse, and that voice cry out, you want to keep listening, for all 47 minutes. And when they’re over, you want to do it again
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  23. 7.0 |   Entertainment.ie

    Contains a batch of songs that ranks up there with some of their best to date
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  24. 6.5 |   Under The Radar

    Fits nicely within the band's catalog, former and present
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  25. 6.5 |   Tone Deaf

    While it’s not an album that should be used to introduce someone to Dinosaur Jr., tracks like “I Know It Oh So Well”, “Rude” and album closer “See It On Your Side” make the album worthy of a listen for any long-term fans or any old alt-rock head
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  26. 6.0 |   State

    It mightn’t be as pound-for-pound essential as its predecessors, but without having to convince reunion naysayers any longer Dinosaur Jr have found a way of steadying themselves with a tautness that’ll warrant more welcoming revisits
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  27. 6.0 |   The Skinny

    They may stumble a little, but it's staggering to think that – nearly 30 years later – these Boston legends can still kick back with the best of them
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  28. 6.0 |   DIY

    Unfortunately for J Mascis, the album seems tailor-made for the background. Sitting through this without the aid of your Facebook feed is a tough ask
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  29. 6.0 |   Mojo

    There remains sufficient compensation to delight Dino devotees. Print edition only

  30. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    I Bet on Sky offers no variations on the grand theme, but pleasures in the detail
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  31. 6.0 |   The Observer

    There's nothing quite as astonishing as 1988 single Freak Scene here, but Watch the Corners and Pierce the Morning Rain show there's plenty of life in them yet
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  32. 4.0 |   Q

    The mid-pace mellowness is too omnipresent and stifling. Print edition only


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