Pick pretty much any track at random from Dinosaur Jr.'s stirring new I Bet on Sky and bear witness to why this was the template bands for what was the sound of alt rock in the Bush 41 and Clinton eras. "Almost Fare", with its crunching guitars and slip sliding vocals of the unmistakable J Mascis, the mid tempo, reflective "Stick a Toe In", the rollicking "What Was That".

Melodies are prominent, maybe more so, on opener "Don't Pretend You Don't Know", on "Watching the Corners" and best of all, on "Pierce the Morning Rain", a ripper with power chords, Murph flailing away, a solo perfect and restrained, and the genesis of the album title: "I bet on sky to help me get through this night." There is even the occasional unexpected touch: "Rude" is uncommonly raw, smile-inducing garage.

While it's the 10th Dino Jr. studio album, the trio has picked up the pace since their reformation in 2005: three albums in seven years. Let's hope they keep it up. If someone is gonna brink the rock every now and then, let it be one of the best. Discover their latest: I Bet on Sky from Dinosaur Jr.