When a reunited band just keeps … going, do you still call it a reunion? Dinosaur Jr. is set to release its third proper full-length since reforming the original line up in 2005. The new album, I Bet on Sky, is streaming now at NPR and comes out next Tuesday via Jagjaguwar. Similar to Mission of Burma’s post-reformation output, Dinosaur Jr. hasn’t embarrassed itself at all. In fact, each reunion album has bettered the one before it. Seeing the original trio back in 2007 was, well, “life-long dream” is a tad strong, but it was awesome nonetheless.

Even though the band is being coy about its future after the marital break-up of guitarist Thurston Moore and bassist Kim Gordon, Sonic Youth has released plans for a vintage live set due out November 14, 2012. Sonic Youth’s Smart Bar – Chicago 1985 will be released via the band’s own Goofin’ imprint on double vinyl gatefold LP with download card as well as the requisite CD and digital versions. Gerard Cosloy of Matador Records will write the liner notes for the set comprised of material from the band’s summer 1985 tour in support of the then newly released Bad Moon Rising. A few early version of songs from EVOL make appearances along with live rarity “Kat ‘N’ Hat.”

On a gratuitous personal anecdotal tangent, while I was in New York City for CMJ in 1995 1994 (Thanks, Brian), I dropped by Subterranean Records to shop around. I happened to be flipping through the Sonic Youth section and picked up an original copy of Bad Moon Rising. A towering figure behind me said, “man, I think that’s a bit too pricey.” I turned around to see Thurston Moore and Mike Watt standing there laughing. I laughed nervously, too, but you know what? I bought the shit out of that overpriced copy of Bad Moon Rising anyway.

Sonic Youth – Smart Bar – Chicago 1985

1- Hallowe’en
2- Death Valley ’69
3- Intro/Brave Men Run(In My Family)
4- I Love Her All The Time
5- Ghost Bitch
6- I’m Insane
7- Kat ‘N’ Hat
8- Brother James
9- Kill Yr Idols
10- Secret Girl
11- Flower
12- The Burning Spear
13- Expressway To Yr Skull
14- Making The Nature Scene

Locks of hair, maybe. At least you could clone Elvis with those. But his Bible? Some schmo paid $94,000 for Elvis’ favorite book. This Bible was given to the King back in 1957 and contains personal annotations and notes. My mind races thinking about what might have moved him to put his pen to the margins of his beloved Bible. Recipes for fried peanut butter and honey? Where to store the glitter belts? The lyrics to “Hound Dog?” Guesses as to how many animals were on the Ark? If the winner of said auction has as much funny bone as he does money, he will reproduce these somewhere.

What a way to introduce Rocket from the Crypt to my kids. I have to admit this is one of the better reunion ploys. No cash grab tour with dutiful live album following suit. Just a limited edition 7″ available via Volcom retailers after September 21st. The b-side is a collaboration between Biz Markie and The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne. [via Pitchfork]

I know this is a few days old, but, holy eff, Bob Mould just slays his new single here. I haven’t been into a Bob Mould solo record since maybe high school. Silver Age, out now on Merge, sounds more like Sugar than Hüsker Dü, but I’ll take it.

My favorite song from one of my favorite records of the year. I feel like I say that all the time, but it’s true. This single pretty much encapsulates what this band is capable of.

This record is on constant repeat.