More Light (J Mascis + The Fog album) explained

More Light
Type:Studio
Artist:J Mascis + The Fog
Cover:J Mascis + The Fog - More Light.jpg
Released: (U.S.)
Genre:Alternative rock
Label:Ultimatum Music (North America)
City Slang (Europe)[1]
Pony Canyon (Japan)
Producer:J Mascis
Kevin Shields[2]
Next Title:Free So Free
Next Year:2002

More Light is the debut album by the alternative rock band J Mascis + The Fog, released in 2000.[3] [4] It can be seen as a solo album of sorts because Mascis played almost all of the instruments on the recording.

Production

The album was composed on electric piano. It was recorded and mixed at "Bob's Place", Mascis's home studio in his native Amherst, Massachusetts.[5] The album title was inspired by the Hindu "hugging saint", Ammachi (also referenced on "Ammaring"). Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine and Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard contributed to some of the songs.[6]

Critical reception

OC Weekly wrote that "the songwriting is familiar enough to please old Dino fans, especially those whose favorite album was Where You Been."[7] The New Zealand Herald thought that "the songs are consistently good here right from the get-go when this kicks into life on the fuzz-storm opening of 'Same Day' (featuring the first of three vocal guest spots by Guided By Voice's Bob Pollard) then straight into the sleepy pop charms of 'Waistin', and 'Where'd You Go' with its Ziggy Stardust/ Mick Ronson riffery and skyscraping solo."[2] The Washington City Paper opined that "Back Before You Go" "channels both Rainbow and Hüsker Dü to predictably savage effect."[8] The Guardian praised the "tangibly zestful sense of engagement on the part of its creator."[9]

Tour

The supporting tour for the album featured former Minutemen member Mike Watt on bass and former Dinosaur Jr collaborator George Berz on drums.[10] [11] On some stops of the tour, the band was joined by original Stooges members Ron Asheton and Scott Asheton.[12] The tour was a key factor in the reformation of the Stooges (who also added Watt as their bass player, replacing the late Dave Alexander).

Track listing

All songs written by J Mascis.

Personnel

Technical

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Buckley, Peter. The Rough Guide to Rock. June 10, 2003. Rough Guides. 9781843531050. Google Books.
  2. Web site: J Mascis & The Fog: More Light. NZ Herald.
  3. Web site: J Mascis & the Fog | Biography & History. AllMusic.
  4. Web site: J. Mascis Taps Kevin Shields, GBV's Pollard For "Light". https://web.archive.org/web/20201115005822/http://www.mtv.com/news/1428098/j-mascis-taps-kevin-shields-gbvs-pollard-for-light/. dead. November 15, 2020. MTV News.
  5. News: Nailen . Dan . Mascis Wants to Deliver 'More Light' to More Ears . The Salt Lake Tribune . 3 Nov 2000 . B11.
  6. Web site: SPOTLIGHT . The Washington Post . 10 June 2021.
  7. Web site: J Mascis + The Fog More Light Ultimatum Music – OC Weekly. www.ocweekly.com.
  8. Web site: More Light. Shannon. Zimmerman. December 8, 2000. Washington City Paper.
  9. News: Cameron . Keith . Friday review: Music: Pop CD releases: J Mascis & the Fog: More Light . The Guardian . 6 Oct 2000 . Friday . 20.
  10. Web site: J Mascis & the Fog, The Mercury, November 21. www.austinchronicle.com.
  11. Web site: J. Mascis and the Fog. Steven. Mirkin. Variety. November 20, 2000.
  12. Lindblad . Peter . Iggy Pop and The Stooges ARE BACK . Goldmine . April 27, 2007 . 33 . 9 . 46–51.