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Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: The 11th full-length release for the rock trio features nine songs written by J. Mascis and two by Lou Barlow.
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Top Track

Tiny
Coming out I’m deep in doubt I’ll meet you Calling out it’s always with a stare I can’t give you less than what I mean to I’ll pretend that... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Aug 5, 2016
    100
    They’re as vital, fresh and relevant as they’ve ever been in 31 years.
  2. 80
    Gnomic titles, introverted lyrics directed at a vaguely defined “you”, and yearning vocals rippling through an extravagantly brutish soup of sound: this band’s 30-year narrative arc is a straight line.
  3. Q Magazine
    Jul 27, 2016
    80
    For the most part, though, this record is defined by its vibrancy, especially with bassist Lou Barlow's melodic vocal contributions to Love IS... and Left/Right. [Aug 2016, p.110]
  4. The Wire
    Oct 21, 2016
    80
    Everything that 30 years ago made Dinosaur Jr a lightning bolt of enervated languor is present here. [Sep 2016, p.59]
  5. Aug 3, 2016
    75
    Give a Glimpse does, however, stick largely to well-trod paths, with not a ton in the way of experimentation. As always, it’s Mascis’ guitar that is the main attraction here, the reason for caring.
  6. Aug 5, 2016
    70
    Like the past three Dinosaur droppings, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not presents more polished, reenergized (but not too much) versions of the fuzzy, impressionistic downer rock they helped pioneer 30 years ago.
  7. Aug 3, 2016
    40
    Give A Glimpse Of What Yer Not is 45 new minutes of Mascis's solid-gold shredding, but there has never been less to hang it on. The hooks that bracket the bouts of soloing are almost instantly unmemorable and the chord structures uninspired.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Aug 18, 2016
    9
    "A Glimpse of What Yer Not" is a terrific renewal for Dinosaur Jr, plugging typically splendid guitar riffs into fast, hard rockers in only a"A Glimpse of What Yer Not" is a terrific renewal for Dinosaur Jr, plugging typically splendid guitar riffs into fast, hard rockers in only a way that this band can do. It just feels like classic Dinosaur Jr - intricate, thoughtful guitar, lyrics somewhere in the gradient between playful and despondent, but best of all, competent and enjoyable rock music. I don't think I've enjoyed a Dinosaur Jr. album as much as this one since, maybe, "Where You Been?". J Mascis and crew have clearly lost very little on time, harping right back to the kick-ass sound that made them one of my favorite bands of the 80's/90's. Whether you're into post-reunion D Jr. or not, it will be tough for fans of the band to not fall in love with "A Glimpse of What Yer Not". Expand