Goodnight Unknown

Lou Barlow has grown older with a grace few ’90s stalwarts have, and on Goodnight Unknown, he shows his knack for songwriting. “One Note Tone,” with its stunning lyrics, is a fascinating song about the inherent disconnect between what we do and how we’ll be remembered for doing it. Barlow reiterates why he’s an indie-rock statesman by building an album that is neither high-concept nor a discordant collection of songs. He masterfully blends a healthy dose of cynicism with wrenching love songs; the contrast paints a jarring portrait of life in a post-modern world. On “Too Much Freedom,” he lets you know he’s still angry, and on “The One I Call,” he begs the question: Can’t angry people fall in love, too? Lou Barlow and The Missingmen open for Dinosaur Jr. Friday, Oct. 16 at Headliners (1386 Lexington Road, 584-8088).