J Mascis, Dum Dum Girls, and Still Corners Lead Soothing CMJ Sub Pop Showcase

Twenty years after leading the charge in the Grunge revolution, Sub Pop records is still going strong -- though based on Thursday night's Sub Pop CMJ showcase at Manhattan's Mercury Lounge, the venerable Seattle label has mellowed nicely with age. Massive waves of sludge and feedback were nowhere to be found, replaced by the rough-edged girl-group sounds of Xray Eyeballs and Dum Dum Girls and the ethereal dream pop of Memoryhouse and Still Corners (who also treated the packed house to a mind-altering projected light show).

Even "alternative nation" veteran J Mascis abandoned his usual wall of amplifiers in favor of a stripped-down acoustic set of solo material and Dinosaur Jr. classics, but the lack of roaring Marshall stacks only served to highlight his sheer virtuosity. Based on the intimidating amount of young talent on display here, there's little doubt that Sub Pop will be in top form in another 20 years.

Still Corners
J Mascis