OFF: Is Guitar Rock Dead?

[John Majka]

Well, there is one modern guitar rock virtuoso everyone should be aware of:
J. Mascis, the guitarist/singer/songwriter/all around musical genius of
Dinosaur Jr.  He plays flat out guitar rock, solos and all, which is
nevertheless not really in an outdated style.  He sounds thoroughly modern
yet retro simultaneously.  If you are mainly a fan of older bands, you might
try picking up "Where You Been" as a first venture into the sonic stylings
of Dinosaur Jr.   It's an album with a bit more of a classic rock feel than
some of the others.  Next choice would be "Green Mind," which is, in my
opinion, the finest Dinosaur Jr. record.  If you are a little more inclined
toward loud psychedelic/vaguely punk influenced stuff, definitely get
"You're Living All Over Me".  I would have to say that "You're Living All
Over Me" is the album that confirmed J. Mascis as one of the guitar geniuses
of the age.
John Majka
flossbac at wcic.org

At 03:34 PM 9/9/97 -0500, you wrote:
>One of the Guitar magazines has a cover story about the lack of
>imaginative guitar playing in todays modern music scene.  Didn't read
>the  whole thing but several people suggested that Techno-dance music is
>about to take over in a big way and that rock may be leaving the scene
>all together (fat chance).  Still there is a huge gap in todays music as
>none of the newer bands seem to care or are able to perform the old
>standard flaming guitar solo.  Any of you professional out there have an
>opinion on this?  Have we seen the last of virtuosos like Buck, Ted
>Nugent, Frank Marino, Robin Trower?
>
>I know there are several young guys who can play but they don't appear
>enamored with the mosnter solo.  Thoughts anyone?