All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

NOW Magazine

That the music of Beyond rocks so righteously in a way that sounds like a conscious progression from where they left off with Bug, rather than a misguided attempt to recreate the past, makes this unlikely recording comeback all the more incredible.

Read Full Review >

All Music Guide

Beyond isn't merely a worthy album from a reunited band, it's simply a great record by any standard.

Read Full Review >

No Ripcord

It kicks ass.

Read Full Review >

Delusions of Adequacy

As usual, Mascis' guitar--a stirring strength, charming and expressive, a poignant power, is the star of this show--and as a whole unit, they haven’t sounded this good in about sixteen years.

Read Full Review >

Filter

Their most triumphant mix of fuzzed-out fury, face-melting fretwork and merry-but-messy melodies.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

Beyond, the band's first record as the selfsame trio since 1988's Bug, benefits enormously-- more so even than fellow MA-veterans Mission of Burma or latter-day Sonic Youth-- from the years, experiences, successes, and disappointments elapsed between then and now.

Read Full Review >

Entertainment Weekly

Though too long at 50 minutes, Beyond is an often thrilling reminder of this essential band's heyday.

Read Full Review >

Stylus Magazine

Despite Beyond’s tendency to feel like a career retrospective in spots, it contains plenty of songs that rival Mascis’s best work.

Read Full Review >

Mojo

Beyond is the better-produced natural successor to 1987's epochal You're Living All Over Me. [May 2007, p.104]

PopMatters

It’s great to hear, on Beyond, that the group can capture that magic again.

Read Full Review >

Boston Globe

Amazingly, "Beyond" picks up where 1988's "Bug" left off, with only slightly more streamlined polish but with the old love of volume and excess still sweetly intact.

Read Full Review >

Drowned In Sound

Essentially the real joy is to hear the three original members locking in so tightly together.

Read Full Review >

New Musical Express

This is an album that sits well alongside classics such as 1987's 'You're Living All Over Me'. In other words: a genuine monster.

Read Full Review >

Hot Press

What’s most remarkable about the record is its incredible level of musical cohesion – it’s like the trio never stopped playing together.

Read Full Review >

Slant Magazine

It's in between the showboating, when Mascis demonstrates his folk and country-tinged melodies and subtle but elaborate leads that you realize what you're listening to is pretty fucking close to genius.

Read Full Review >

Amazon.com

These 50 minutes of music are as cohesive as they are conquering.

Read Full Review >

Urb

Beyond doesn't break any new ground, but... it's as refreshing as anything you're likely to hear all year. [May 2007, p.93]

musicOMH.com

Mascis' ear-bleeding guitar soloing is ever prevalent, but there's a dynamism in the music here that was missing in previous efforts.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

The spiraling, distortion-drenched guitar solos, the cracked and ruined moan of Mascis, the passive-aggressive romanticism, the relentless beat, the pedals, the sheer turbulent volume...it's just like Where You Been? all over again, with all the positives and negatives that the comparison implies.

Read Full Review >

Observer Music Monthly

It sounds exactly like a Dinosaur Jr album should.

Read Full Review >

Under The Radar

With a sound closer to the Sire output than their SST days, Mascis throws around his best set of songs since Where You Been. [#17, p.84]

Sputnikmusic

Beyond’s main flaws come in a lack of variety.

Read Full Review >

BBC collective

Coming in 2007 it sounds oddly fresh, but nothing here’s as full-on as their early stuff or as lovely as Feel The Pain.

Read Full Review >

The Guardian

There is something almost eerie about how exactly the Dinosaur Jr of 2007 sound like the Dinosaur Jr of 1988.

Read Full Review >

Blender

The elliptical vein opening, restless country twang and surging metal riffage have never sounded more confident. [Jun 2007, p.107]

Spin

Even the production on Beyond sounds plucked from the trio's Bug heyday. [May 2007, p.85]

Playlouder

Rabid Dinosaur Jr fans will find plenty here to enjoy.

Read Full Review >

Prefix Magazine

Beyond's highlights not only stand comfortably with Dinosaur's legendary best, but they also sound like they could have been lost outtakes from the very same sessions.

Read Full Review >

The Onion (A.V. Club)

There isn't a bad song on Beyond—though both of Barlow's contributions slow things down a bit—but it never reaches the transcendent, wailing energy of Mascis' best.

Read Full Review >

Austin Chronicle

Apparently evolution is overrated.

Read Full Review >

Q Magazine

The spark that made initial albums such as Bug so special is still missing. [May 2007, p.123]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Liam gave it a10:
Great, this is probably my favorite Dino jr. record and the only one that stands up to You're Living All Over Me.

Rachael G. gave it a10:
Amazing ! I picked up this cd from the library and fell in love, my dad actually saw them in concert ( jealous ) of course I hope they come to Ohio, I saw on their page they have some shows coming up ! I first heard about them from another band.

Paul W gave it an8:
A solid return. You would be mental to turn your back on this album,

Rael T. gave it a10:
Mascis at his best, back to the great song writing and playing of Bug You're Living All Over Me. Really great!

Paul S. gave it a9:
Well well well! I saw the band here in Australia in '90. Minus Lou. J had Donna (from Black Flag's touring outfit of the time) on bass. They were good. They were very good...the night made me a D Jr fan for life. Slipped in and out of everything after where you been. But this album, and to see it and songs like "Out There" & "Feel The Pain" performed by the original gang (that never made it here "back in the day") Was a blast! Lou B is a bass god. To fill the void beneath J when he skyrockets is a masterful effort. Murph does it all on a minimalist kit. Great album. Lou's songs are a terrific balance and its like having a Sebadoh Dinosaur Jr double play.

Chris N. gave it a10:
I bought this record out of nostalgia, but I can't stop playing it. The songs grow on every listen and the way Mascis lets himself go on the guitar is a joy. Maybe its as good as anything they've done

Mark D gave it a6:
As a massive Dino fan i can only express mild dissapointment with this album. I like "Beyond" but i really wanted to LOVE this album not just like it so i've forced myself to listen to it every day for a week in my car. I just can't get into it though, the songs are nice but forgettable. Ther's nothing on here as catchy as Freak Scene or as raw as Sludgefeast for example and it certainly doesn't compare to "Bug" or "Your Living All Over Me". I seem to be in the minority though and i still worship J Mascis, so hey ho.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Beyond

Album Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases