I Bet on Sky
by Dinosaur Jr.
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
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  1. j30
    Oct 4, 2012
    9
    The resurrection of Dinosaur Jr.'s original line-up has been a Godsend, first with the solid "Beyond" and then with the near great "Farm" and now with their most accessible album "I Bet On Sky". Once a band torn by internal issues with Lou Barlow and J Mascis, now sound like their making up for lost time.
  2. Jcelsius
    Sep 24, 2012
    8
    Let me start by saying I did not enjoy this album as much as their last effort "Farm". Now, that's not to say this album is bad because Farm is an incredible album. If that album was an ocean of fuzz with waves of blistering solos, "I Bet on Sky" is a pool party. Much more upbeat, straight forward, and the solos mostly come in tidy little breaks. Some of the turns this album makes are hardLet me start by saying I did not enjoy this album as much as their last effort "Farm". Now, that's not to say this album is bad because Farm is an incredible album. If that album was an ocean of fuzz with waves of blistering solos, "I Bet on Sky" is a pool party. Much more upbeat, straight forward, and the solos mostly come in tidy little breaks. Some of the turns this album makes are hard to expect and admittedly hard to initially get used to. The Barlow songs on this one aren't as catchy to me as previous albums. J's singing is improving it would seem. I've always enjoyed his voice, but now it's stronger and more confident. No longer does it sound as if he's mocking himself with every syllable. The album ends on a fantastic note with "See It On Your Side". If any song on the album is classic Dinosaur Jr. it's this one. A bit melancholy, but not lacking that signature J Mascis intense solo we've come to love and expect.

    This album might not be your favorite, but if you're a Dinosaur Jr fan, you'll enjoy it. Once again J, Murph, and Barlow show that a reunion can produce music on par (and sometimes surpassing) their initial legacy.    … Collapse

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. cokemachineglow
    Dec 21, 2012
    70
    There's no doubt that I Bet on Sky is a very good record. But at this point, the second honeymoon is over, and there's a barely perceptible distance growing.
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  2. The Wire
    Dec 7, 2012
    70
    Their third post-reunion effort is less immediately engaging than its predecessor--perhaps due to a slightly uneven mix--but it remains true to the Dinosaur spirit while asserting a textual adventurousness that's often overlooked. [Nov 2012, p.70]
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 1, 2012
    80
    The way all the pieces fit on I Bet on Sky gives you the idea that they're doing more than just letting bygones be bygones, but actually learning to appreciate one another in a way that allows them to play off each others' strengths.
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