SOTW: James & The Giants – “Bless This Mess”

August 4th, 2023 by Liz Kosik

by Liz Kosik ’25

Song of the Week: James & The Giants – “Bless This Mess”

Released: June 30, 2023

Rate: 7/10

RIYL: Wooden Wand, My Morning Jacket, Strand of Oaks, Cass McCombs

Kill Rock Stars is excited to announce the release of James & The Giants’ self-titled album. This project represents the collaborative efforts of James Jackson Toth and his long-time partner Jarvis Taveniere, over the past four years. The album is a blend of newly written songs and ones from past decades, even featuring talented musicians from various eras associated with Wooden Wand. “James and The Giants” showcases a reflective and unintentional self-discovery journey, really exploring personal history to offer fresh perspectives on the memories they hold.

“James and The Giants” is a 10-track, medium-leveled folk album. Toth and Taveniere definitely deliver a quality experience in just 38 minutes. “Bless This Mess” is an optimal representation of Toth’s vision. He reflects on the matters of our hearts and the messiness that comes with the promises we make, dreams we don’t fulfill, and time that passes. Nonetheless, Toth remains grateful for the beauty of living and experiencing. “Sometimes it resounds, sometimes it just sinks, sometimes it drives you crazy, bless this mess of a heart” – perfectly describing the emotional grounds of Toth and Taveniere in their creation of  “James and The Giants.”