Black Heart Procession

J Mascis, Black Heart Procession

If any eardrum-punishing guitarist has earned the right to chill the hell out and release an album of laidback folk rock, it's Dinosaur Jr. leader J Mascis. Wielding an acoustic for most of his Sub Pop solo debut, Several Shades of Why , Mascis goes against his trademark heavy-rock blowouts in favor of stripped-down, heartfelt balladeering. This kinder, gentler version of Mascis spotlights the wistful ache that's always nestled in his melodies; now it's just much easier to discern. Like Neil Young (an easy but totally apt comparison), Mascis exudes a charming vulnerability—and a poignant whine—beneath his gnarly exterior. The malicious dude who's been giving you tinnitus is actually an old softy whose tunesmithing can wring genuine tears. All is forgiven.

Black Heart Procession and J. Mascis, Cinco De Mayo En Long Beach ...

Cinco de Mayo is an amazingly good holiday.  It’s also not really a celebration of Mexico’s Independence.  It is however a great time to have some Carnitas and Cervezas and chill out muy hard.  The food coma inspired by this holiday can make ones head rest wearily over the heart which is struggling to keep up with the amount of blood being sent to the gastro-intestinal region.  The slow blinking eyelids and lackadaisical movements that are inherent on this date are akin to those one might have whilst being at a Black Heart Procession show.  The head rests wearily atop the heart that is suffering as on the Cinco de Mayo, yet this time it is due to the heart slowing tempo of the beautiful sound produced.  It is impossible to not confuse your head and heart at a Black Heart show.  Pall Jenkins ability with the saw is unnerving and the sound created is enough to freeze your blood.  It feels as though you are lost in the ice covered wilderness and the saw makes the ghosts of snow howl around you.  As frozen as your ears lead your heart to feel, they are also your savior as the secondary half of Black Heart is so tender that it literally melts your frozen heart.   The dark romance of frozen and heart-warming is enough to leave ones head as confused as if they had been induced into a Cinco de Mayo food coma.

Black Heart Procession has built a strong fan base throughout the U.S., but it is incredibly strong in the Southern Ca. region as they are from San Diego.  This was obvious as the crowd swayed in sync with the songs of Black Heart.  Hits from my favorite albums such as Amore del Tropico and The Spell were standouts.  Even their latest releases such as Blank Page off their Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit appeared to be thoroughly well known by the crowd.  Black Heart has long been one of my favorite bands to come from the San Diego area and it was amazing to see them perform with one of musics legends, J. Mascis.  (our contributor Marina already wrote about J. Mascis here J.Mascis which we highly recommend you read.)

Black Heart Procession, J.Mascis @ Alexs Bar, Long Beach, Ca.