Most reunion albums stink outright, or merely provide a nostalgic whiff of better times. So when an anomaly like "Beyond" surpasses all expectations, it prompts hurrahs from fans and critics alike, and no small amount of amazement.

The raves for "Beyond" are justified, but a clear-eyed look at Dinosaur Jr. [ tickets ]'s 22-year recording career makes one thing clear: This was a talented but derivative band that made uneven records, hardly the ground-breakers they seemed to be in the mid-'80s.

Back then, the Amherst, MA, trio--singer/guitarist J. Mascis, bassist/singer Lou Barlow and drummer Murph--got noticed just for brazenly cranking up the amps and playing guitar solos, which was considered indulgent rock-star behavior in that post-punk era. By the time Barlow departed after three records, Nirvana was just over the horizon and the music scene was about to be given a good shake. Dinosaur Jr. then became the J. Mascis show, with a revolving group of players (sometimes with Murph) backing him, but rarely changing the formula. Barlow, in turn, vied for the title of most prolific indie rocker, releasing hit-and-miss records under three band monikers (Sebadoh, Sentridoh and The Folk Implosion) and his own name.

All that time apart has paid dividends here, though. Where the early Dinosaur Jr. records (the self-titled debut, "You're Living All Over Me" and "Bug") sounded like the guys were feeling their way through the musical landscape, reveling in noise-for-noise's-sake the way young bands do, "Beyond" is all sure-handed experience and focus. The riffs are tight and right, the playing muscular but economical. The songs, while not instant classics, sound better each time you hear them. And there is a quality so rarely found in reunion records: inspiration.

In some ways, nothing has changed. Mascis still sounds like a slacker ("This is All I Came to Do") with a bag full of Neil Young licks, albeit one now baring his emotions ("I Got Lost"). Barlow takes his old back seat with aplomb and makes his presence felt with some fine songs ("Back to Your Heart," "Lightning Bulb"). Murph keeps the beat as he always did. They just happened to make their best record on their fourth try.