J Mascis
Several Shades of Why
Sub Pop

You know, if I’m not careful, this blog is gonna go soft in a hurry, what with all the acoustic/indie stuff I’ve been reviewing lately, and I’d be especially concerned if Several Shades of Why had been released by anyone other than J Mascis, but it’s because this is a J Mascis release that it’s suitable consumption for such a hairy hole as this. From his look to his sound, the man has been iconic (and laconic) for nearly 30 years, and now that he’s abandoned the comfort of one of his myriad bands (Dinosaur Jr., Witch, Sweet Apple, etc.) and chosen to try his hand at a delicately beautiful sound, we should pay attention. Several Shades of Why is, for all intents and purposes, J’s first solo studio record (Martin + Me was live covers, then there were those records with his Friends and The Fog), although he was helped out by such notable musicians as Kurt Vile, Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mount Zion), Kurt Fedora, Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession), and others. That roll call is probably too nerdy and hip for most, but trust me when I tell you that the songs are all J, his strained, alternative voice callously caressing the deep n’ dark melodies to create a collusion of dopey vagueness and intimate intricacies with every breath and chord. Simply put, it’s signature J done quieter than normal, where the nondescript titles (“Not Enough,” “Is it Done,” “Can I,” etc.) reveal very little and the easy ambiguity hides nothing at all.

Listen to “Where Are You” from Several Shades of Why!

God Ox
Abyssal Gigantism
Auditory Essentials

Ritualistic doom from the five high priests of the Church of Ox, that being War Ox, Axe Ox, Myth Ox, Beast Ox, and Frost Ox, chosen to deliver Ox dogma — or the principles of Oxism — and to spread the great word of the Lord God Ox, may He be exalted.

No, I’m not kidding.

More than just a six-song online release, Abyssal Gigantism tells of the oxchatological order of things, and is at once a warning, a lesson, and a preparation for the coming judgment. Now, whether you choose to believe in the Ox gospel or fall prey to its mocking tenor matters little so long as you find occasion to worship the dopey, bluesy, alt-sludge through which this divination is delivered. With vocals both clean and aggressive, with a pace both lumbering and invading, with riffs as large as Mount Oxlympus itself, the songs on Abyssal Gigantism are extra heavy and ultra hallowed points of entry into a world ruled by all things Ox, but one that also owes its black, madcap measure to Electric Wizard, Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Black Sabbath, and, at points, early Soundgarden and Life of Agony. And perhaps inspired by the Lord God Ox, may He be exalted, or perhaps because they are forging this music on his behalf, God Ox have seen fit to elevate themselves from the mire of doom benevolence with intricate instances of mellow psych-jams, slide guitar, and progressive experimentation. A massive, diverse, and I suppose divine, creation, this God Ox.

Listen to “Ox Flu Zombie Apocalypse” from Abyssal Gigantism!

Night Horse
Perdition Hymns
Tee Pee

Even though they hail from the City of Angels, Night Horse carry themselves with that Americana swagger befitting East Coast brawlers, chucking big, dopey, boogie-fried riffs at you like ham-sized fists that leave deep, lasting bruises. Picking up where their 2008 debut, The Dark Won’t Hide You, left off, Perdition Hymns lays the Southern stoner rock on nice n’ thick, incorporating plenty of organ, slide, and 70s-infused boxcar blues to send you on a weed-eating nostalgia trip to Altamont and back. Sure, it’s got all the dusty charm of Skynyrd or the Allmans, and sounds like a nasty mix of Cracktorch and the ‘Crowes, but ultimately (and maybe it’s because of the way singer Sam James Velde howls at the blood red moon) the songs on Perdition Hymns come off as bastard inventions from an alternate universe where Danzig grows up a wayward cowboy and not Lucifer’s brawny spawn.

Listen to “Shake Your Blues” from Perdition Hymns!