All the new music picks this week are from co-editor Tom Cartmel:
- Big Jesus
- Jim James
- Oakskin
- Plaque Marks
Enjoy!
Big Jesus
ATL, GA
“Gold Forever”, rerecorded from the archives.
While beginning to work on their next full length, Big Jesus gave this tune from 2012 another go. With hazy vocals and driving guitars, this one would have sounded right at home in the early nineties alternative music scene. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this band goes next.
tom
Jim James
Louisville, KY
“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” from Tribute To 2, out December 8th.
Looks like My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James (or sometimes the annoyingly named “Yim Yames”) has an album of slightly unexpected covers coming out, including songs from Sonny and Cher, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Irving Berlin. This one is a Beach Boys classic in which James tackles those amazing harmonies himself. I love a good cover, but sometimes they just make me seek out the original.
tom
Oakskin
Columbia, SC
“Prey” out now on Bandcamp.
With Kylesa on “indefinite hiatus” Philip Cope has assembled a new three piece and is working on new material. Prey is our first taste of Oakskin, and it doesn’t fall terribly far from the Kylesa tree, heavy, hazy and laced with theremin. If you’ve been missing sludge, this just may scratch that itch.
tom
Plaque Marks
Philadelphia, PA
Anxiety Driven Nervous Worship, out now on Learning Curve Records.
New “punk driven noise rock” from members of Creepoid, Fight Amp, Powder Room and Ecstatic Vision. It definitely give off the Fight Amp vibe, primal rhythms, overdriven, distorted guitars and pained vocals set a little bit back in the mix. It’s right up my alley, but my alley is filthy, dangerous and loud. RIYL: Pissed Jeans, Jesus Lizard, Unsane, Cherubs.
tom