J Mascis fired longtime drummer
Murph before the recording of
Without a Sound, which came as a surprise to
Murph. Naturally, the change in personnel hasn't changed
Dinosaur Jr.'s sound much; the only difference between
Without a Sound and
Where You Been is a more pronounced country leaning (particularly on the album's high point, the rollicking "I Don't Think So") and shorter, more concise performances. What hasn't changed are the overpowering fuzz tones of
Mascis' guitar, which tend to hide his more expressive vocals; it also makes digging out the gems on this album a little more difficult than necessary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide