Sometimes after I drink too much I find myself mimicking Kal Marks voice. It's never an effective pick-up move. But it is the driving howl of Boston's most cohesive three piece that continues its dark & sludgy progression with Zimmerman being one of their most memorable songs to date. The organ on It Was a Very Hard Year is what you would hear when an evil clown is lurking nearby before the nightmare is over. It may be "just a lonely fart" but this one’s a little ripper that's gonna leave a stain.

-Hayden Karnitz

@hkarnutz

My last day of CMJ was my most anticipated.  Started off by getting my ticket in advance for Exploding in Sound's 3rd birthday bash at The Silent Barn, where almost every EIS band in some form or another would be playing.  After that I headed over to the warehouse spot over on Hart and Wyckoff known as Hot 97.4 for the 1.21 Gigawatts issue release (read some of my words in the new issue).  There I caught the tail end of Journalism, a tight band of Brooklyn cats who sound like a cross between My Bloody Valentine and Ty Segal, a good combo in my book. - Keep reading Jake Saunders' report of Day 5 of the CMJ Music Marathon 2014.

Kal Marks' latest effort, Life is Murder, is full of my favorite things: huge drums, heavy guitar riffs and ear-catching vocals. As I was listening to this record, I couldn't help but be caught-up in their immense stoner/90s-rock grooves. The whole thing kinda sounds like if Isaac Brock and Frank Black got together, smoked and drank ridiculous amounts, and then made some kick-ass songs. The rhythm section on this record is spot on--I love the pounding bass tone they dialed-in for these tracks.

I would definitely recommend checking these guys out; and luckily for all of you readers, they've got several shows coming up. October 27 they will be at Obrien's in Allston. They will also be making an apearance at Boston Hassle Fest 5, taking place November 8 & 9 at the Cambridge Elks Lodge. Check their Facebook page for more details and show updates.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)