Now that the glow of the reunion has worn off, it’s easier to get a more objective read on the latest – and first- incarnation of Dinosaur Jr. While the acrimony between J Mascis and Lou Barlow is reportedly a thing of the past, it was hard not to notice that there was no stage banter at all between the two (or with the crowd) during the entire hour and a half set, or even so much of an acknowledgement that they were standing on the same stage. Also of note was the placing of drummer Murph, squarely front and center, cutting the stage in half, with Mascis on the left and Barlow on the right. Mascis and Barlow may not have any hard feelings between them, but it sure doesn’t look like the acrimony has been replaced by fraternity and friendship.

Still, whatever issues still exist within the band, they in no way affected the music, and that’s really all that mattered. Initially, the excitement over the reunion was that Dinosaur Jr. would be playing songs off their first albums. Now, at the second of three sold out New York City shows, the setlist includes songs spanning every incarnation of the band, from early tunes like “Freak Scene” to the Barlow-less near-hits of the 90′s (“Get Me,” “Feel the Pain”), to songs from last year’s record Farm. And they all flowed pretty well together.

Also of note- I’ve been to a lot of shows, from tiny clubs to giant arenas. This may have been the loudest show I’ve ever seen in my life.

Opener Kurt Vile, who seems to be everywhere lately, played a short set with his band the Violators, and with the only head of hair in the venue to rival J Mascis’. Playing most of his set behind his voluminous mane, Vile’s face is as hard to pin down as his music, which has been described as some mix of freak-folk, psychedelic pop, and lo-fi grunge. All those seem to fit, and the genre-hopping explains his presence on so many different bills in the past year, from Built to Spill to Big Star to the Black Keys. After a few more shows with Dinosaur Jr., he’ll be back out on tour opening for Matador label-mates Fucked Up.

Dinosaur Jr.:

Kurt Vile: