Dinosaur Jr. is one of the most important bands in alternative-rock and indeed, one of the greatest bands of all-time. Why aren’t they household names though? Because of a reluctance to realign itself with mainstream expectations and a general stubbornness to remain independent.

The discography of Dinosaur Jr. is a delight that offers numerous rewards. Here’s a look at the very best 10 songs produced by the J. Mascis-fronted group.

Greatest 10 Songs by Dinosaur Jr.

10. “In a Jar”

There was hardly anybody in the 1980s American underground that was not just a fan, but also in a band. And, practically none of these musicians could avoid being wowed and influenced by Dinosaur Jr.

The group certainly had a unique vision from the very start. It confused many listeners and some of the members of the band themselves.

“In a Jar” was the first moment that J. Mascis’s ideals for a rock band became apparent. This is, really, the start of the band’s truly great period.

9. “Out There”

“Is Dinosaur Jr. punk?” “Was J. Mascis part of the grunge scene?” These are frequently asked questions about the American group. But, I am afraid the answer is not as simple to give as with other bands.

“Out There” helped the group’s commercial standing in the 1990s. But the almost alt-rock-ballad format complete with excellent guitar playing is further proof that Dinosaur Jr. defied genre categorization.

8. “Been There All the Time”

There were other songs on the 2007 reunion albums that were more popular. But, arguably, none show the depth of J. Mascis’s songwriting ability as “Been There All the Time.”

Mascis had always managed to fuse beautiful melodies, tender lyrics with face-melting guitar sounds and this was mighty convincing proof of all the years of hard work.

7. “Not You Again”

Dinosaur Jr. switched to a major record label in 1991. And, although on “Not You Again,” J. Mascis, essentially, creates a solo effort, this is some of the most memorable, and straightforward music that had ever been produced under the group’s moniker.

While this is, basically, a breakup song, it was Mascis’s songwriting abilities and his lonely stoner persona that endeared him to so many listeners and helped increase the band’s popularity.

6. “Almost Ready”

Dinosaur Jr. opted not to become as big as, say, Nirvana. But several decades after the original line-up had split up, in the hearts of alt-rock fans, the group was just as important.

Efforts were made, successfully, for a reunion that excited the music world more than J. Mascis could have anticipated.

“Almost Ready” marked the 2007 return of the original line-up of the band. It’s a catchy, self-referential song about Mascis, Barlow, and the world not being able to stand each other but needing to find a way through it.

5. “Start Choppin'”

J. Mascis was the most accomplished guitarist in the American underground. But it’s not like he showed off. Sure, he could play Neil Young‘s fuzzed-out guitar solos with the assistance of his Big Muff pedal.

“Start Choppin'” shows, however, that the musician had an extraordinary ear for the catchiest of guitar parts. “Start Choppin'” exists as the perfect middle point between being a throwaway number and, also, Dinosaur Jr.’s most palatable track.

4. “Little Fury Things”

There are stories of Dinosaur Jr. driving entire crowds out of the small clubs in which they were playing. They achieved this through an ungodly amount of noise that could rival The Stooges or Black Sabbath.

Sure, off stage, the trio was made up of nice, shy boys. But play “Little Fury Things” along with any of the punk-rock bands of the 1980s, and Dinosaur Jr. won’t lose the contest.

3. “Feel the Pain”

J. Mascis somehow managed to achieve the mainstream success that he deserved without over-exposing himself or his band’s music.

“Feel the Pain” was released in 1994 just as alt-rock was at its peak. It was a sparse-sounding, catchy tune that cracked the Top 10 Modern Rock charts in the U.S. It is still one of the band’s best-known tracks.

2. “The Wagon”

By 1991, alternative-rock was a hot commodity. Every kid who could afford to buy records could wax poetically about the musical abilities of Nirvana and Alice in Chains.

But it was the really in-the-know listeners who favored groups like Dinosaur Jr. Of course, by the time of the release of “Green Mind,” the group already toured the U.S. a few times over.

“The Wagon” is one of the catchiest songs recorded by the band and a minor hit. It’s also something of a breakup letter from J. Mascis to Lou Barlow. There’s some uncharacteristic bite and bitterness to the song. Still, it’s one of the band’s undisputed best tunes.

1. “Freak Scene”

More than any other band on the independent rock scene in the U.S., Dinosaur Jr. understood dynamics. Typical songs by the band began with gently picked chords and descended into fuzz-rock mayhem.

But J. Mascis, along with Lou Marlow and Murph were also romantics. They’d wanted to be part of a musical scene, so they built one for themselves. “Freak Scene” is a song about the pressure of, finally, having to live with all the people that populate this world. It’s Dinosaur Jr. at its most enthusiasm-filled and one of the best songs of all time.