Local CD Reviews
Issue 240 / December 2008 More from this Issue
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Odetta
Cut & Paste Vol. 2
Self-Released
Street: 11.01
Odetta= DJ Shadow + MetalFingers Doom + Pete Rock + DrWho Dat?
I’ve had the chance to thumbthrough some of Odetta’s vinyl collectionand just about every recordI touched had some inspiringfunk sound or soulful sample. Theguy simply doesn’t keep crappyrecords in his crates and this iswhat makes Odetta’s productionso solid. The best way to beginmaking beats is with an unyieldingbase of samples and a vast recordcollection. Cut & Paste Vol. 2 containsover twenty-four jazz-infusedbeats that take you through someof the smoothest sounds ever puton vinyl. "Before My Tim," was oneof my favorite tracks, featuring adiverse array of samples and flowingstring bass, but "Naturally" wasthe song that helped me ultimatelydecide that Odetta is among SaltLake’s best producers. His musiccould make an MC sound dope,but speaks volumes on its own.Be sure to check out Cut & PasteVol. 1 for more of Odetta’s spotlessproduction. –SUPeRB
Old Timer
Live at the Tombstonery
Self-Released
Street: 08.15
Old Timer = Reverend Bizarre +Torche
Somewhere along the foothills residesa small family company who has beenforging tombstones, among otherthings, for more than 100 years. Thishappens to be the spot Old Timerutilized to record this little gem becausethey do not give a fuck about studioquality polish or pristine production.Why? Because dirty stoner rock androll doesn’t need that shit, and it neverwill, that’s why! What is enduring aboutOld Timer to me is that they are D.I.Y.to the very foundation ––no fluffy pressrelease, copy machine album art anda disc label that was so thick, it nearlygot stuck in my car player. Packedwith blues riffs, face melting solos, astrong rhythm section and vocals dirtyenough to make you want to brushyour own teeth, you can’t really ask formuch more. This is a fine piece of workamidst several bands of similar style inour local Utah arsenal. –Conor Dow
Ralp
3-song sampler
Moondog Music
Street: whenever you’d like
Ralp = Dead or Alive + JohnLennon-style vocal + Big Black
According to Moondog Music, Ralp(Casey Fritz to those in the know)has recorded over 200 songs, allof which are downloadable throughtheir website. This makes reviewingthis three song demo a littlestrange. Two years ago, SLUGreviewed Ralp’s first six-song demoin these very pages. Where it getsinteresting is that all three songs onthis disc were also on the first one.But never one to shun redundancy,it must be said that this homemade,single-person-performed trio ofsongs is actually very listenable.And where the music seems attimes limited by the multi-track,electronic feel of a studio work,the vulnerable, almost 1980s JohnLennon-sounding vocal ties everythingtogether well. And while wehere at SLUG would have preferredto be treated to a few of the other200 tracks on the Moondog site,the cuts on this mini sampler workwell enough together to inspire alittle curiosity for more Ralp. Butwho knows? When we re-reviewthis one again in two years, we mayjust change our minds. –WoodcockJohnson
WoO
Come Blue
A. Star Recordings
Street: 06.08
WoO = Eluvium + Stars of the Lid +Tim Hecker
This was a wonderful littlesurprise.Intrigued, not knowingat all what to expect, with zeropress release and mysteriousalbum artwork, I immediatelyput this in my car CD player.The result was approximately45 minutes of minimalistic andsoothing soundscapes that arecomparable to what the reveredEluvium would sound like if hewas marooned on a derelict spacestation. The sole proprietor ofWoO is located in the Serbiancity of Belgrade of all places, andupon further investigation, I foundthat this album was printed in alimited release by a small label inKaysville, Utah. If you love ambientmusic, and have any interest insupporting local labels, I can’trecommend this collection ofsongs enough. Hurry though, as itis limited to 200 copies.–Conor Dow
Cut & Paste Vol. 2
Self-Released
Street: 11.01
Odetta= DJ Shadow + MetalFingers Doom + Pete Rock + DrWho Dat?
I’ve had the chance to thumbthrough some of Odetta’s vinyl collectionand just about every recordI touched had some inspiringfunk sound or soulful sample. Theguy simply doesn’t keep crappyrecords in his crates and this iswhat makes Odetta’s productionso solid. The best way to beginmaking beats is with an unyieldingbase of samples and a vast recordcollection. Cut & Paste Vol. 2 containsover twenty-four jazz-infusedbeats that take you through someof the smoothest sounds ever puton vinyl. "Before My Tim," was oneof my favorite tracks, featuring adiverse array of samples and flowingstring bass, but "Naturally" wasthe song that helped me ultimatelydecide that Odetta is among SaltLake’s best producers. His musiccould make an MC sound dope,but speaks volumes on its own.Be sure to check out Cut & PasteVol. 1 for more of Odetta’s spotlessproduction. –SUPeRB
Old Timer
Live at the Tombstonery
Self-Released
Street: 08.15
Old Timer = Reverend Bizarre +Torche
Somewhere along the foothills residesa small family company who has beenforging tombstones, among otherthings, for more than 100 years. Thishappens to be the spot Old Timerutilized to record this little gem becausethey do not give a fuck about studioquality polish or pristine production.Why? Because dirty stoner rock androll doesn’t need that shit, and it neverwill, that’s why! What is enduring aboutOld Timer to me is that they are D.I.Y.to the very foundation ––no fluffy pressrelease, copy machine album art anda disc label that was so thick, it nearlygot stuck in my car player. Packedwith blues riffs, face melting solos, astrong rhythm section and vocals dirtyenough to make you want to brushyour own teeth, you can’t really ask formuch more. This is a fine piece of workamidst several bands of similar style inour local Utah arsenal. –Conor Dow
Ralp
3-song sampler
Moondog Music
Street: whenever you’d like
Ralp = Dead or Alive + JohnLennon-style vocal + Big Black
According to Moondog Music, Ralp(Casey Fritz to those in the know)has recorded over 200 songs, allof which are downloadable throughtheir website. This makes reviewingthis three song demo a littlestrange. Two years ago, SLUGreviewed Ralp’s first six-song demoin these very pages. Where it getsinteresting is that all three songs onthis disc were also on the first one.But never one to shun redundancy,it must be said that this homemade,single-person-performed trio ofsongs is actually very listenable.And where the music seems attimes limited by the multi-track,electronic feel of a studio work,the vulnerable, almost 1980s JohnLennon-sounding vocal ties everythingtogether well. And while wehere at SLUG would have preferredto be treated to a few of the other200 tracks on the Moondog site,the cuts on this mini sampler workwell enough together to inspire alittle curiosity for more Ralp. Butwho knows? When we re-reviewthis one again in two years, we mayjust change our minds. –WoodcockJohnson
WoO
Come Blue
A. Star Recordings
Street: 06.08
WoO = Eluvium + Stars of the Lid +Tim Hecker
This was a wonderful littlesurprise.Intrigued, not knowingat all what to expect, with zeropress release and mysteriousalbum artwork, I immediatelyput this in my car CD player.The result was approximately45 minutes of minimalistic andsoothing soundscapes that arecomparable to what the reveredEluvium would sound like if hewas marooned on a derelict spacestation. The sole proprietor ofWoO is located in the Serbiancity of Belgrade of all places, andupon further investigation, I foundthat this album was printed in alimited release by a small label inKaysville, Utah. If you love ambientmusic, and have any interest insupporting local labels, I can’trecommend this collection ofsongs enough. Hurry though, as itis limited to 200 copies.–Conor Dow
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Posted on December 5, 2008 by Destructinator Fan
Ben West, Seems like you have no sense of fun. You are full of teenage farts, and shit, if you ask me. Did you even listen to these guys?
Posted on December 5, 2008 by Destructinator Fan, again
Ben West, I have to add something to my above comment. If you feel these young, and they are young, musicians have talent, then give constructive feedback. You are insulting, rude and really a dick. These guys are just learning. There is no reason to be to be such an ass to them. If you are so great, why are you writing for this little local rag, I wonder. Why are you not out touring with your own band, or writing mega-hits? Please, on your next review, give constructive feedback. Don't stomp on young dreams - even if your dreams are shattered. Encourage, don't massacre.
Posted on December 10, 2008 by Jim
Well, gee all the members of destructinator are 17 or 18 aren't they? They grew up in SLC not compton and in middle to upper middle class families. I think that songs about a popular substitute teacher that many kids their age know, or a a giant robot or a fusion of norse mythology and cyborgs is better content then to try and fain some fatalistic dark NIN I'm so misunderstood, I'm so dark content. As instrumentalist I think they do well and obviously spend a lot of time in the woodshed practicing. They all seem to be improving everytime you hear them and expaning their content. They admit that vocals are not their forte on their site and that probably has something to do with the lyrical content too. Ben, I have been to a few local venues where these guys were playing. They have a following. When they finish their set sometimes half the crowd leaves. Part of their appeal is that they do not take themselves too seriously. Having been on the road myself and once upon a time far too serious about something that should have always been mostly fun I hope they don't take you too seriously and keep improving and keep having fun.
Posted on December 10, 2008 by Sam
Mr. Ben. I don't think you really understand what the word Irony means or what Destructinator is about. The name goes back to when the lead guitar player and the bassist were someting like 12 and just beginning to play. They never thought that they would still be using the name years later in a band with serious potential. But that is who they are and how they are recognized and they are popular. I guess they could change the name but why? Go up to the U of U and you will see more than a few of their Tee-Shirts walking around campus on some girls in their twenties. I don't see how there is a problem with irony in the lyrics. The lyrics are rather silly, but that is by design. Actually, lyrics are kind of infrequent with Destructinator. I think that this bunch of youngsters may actually have a better chance at large scale success then most. No they do not at all sound like what we are hearing on the radio at present nor do they sound like the stuff the "underground intellectuals" seem to like and suggest ought to be on the radio. Maybe that is what drives theiur popularity. They are unique. Many of their songs are catchy yet different, Mrs. Wadium included. I think Destructinator is refreshing.
Posted on December 10, 2008 by Chago Arroyo
After reading a few of the comments about Destructinator I thought I would throw in my two cents. Nonot one of the boys can really sing. Guess that would be nice, but do not miss them in concert. The metal screams are pretty good though. Yes they can play the shit out of their instruments for their ages and I love the wall of sound effect you get when you see them live. The leads are always really good and often exceptional. The bass player and drummer together are like getting caught in an epic metal stampede at a live concert. Damn this band can be fun. You have to see them live to appreciate the lyrics because they often do these tongue and cheek epic preambles to the song that explains the story, albeit usually stupid story behind the lyrics. The recordings on their Myspace page really dont live up to a live show in musical quality or energy and I bet the CD does not do them justice either. This is a really, really a fun show band! Unfortunately, you cant see these guys very often or in some of the better clubs because they are not old enough to get in let alone play there yet. Destructinator are kind of the metal equivalent to Seth Rogans movies like Super Bad and Pineapple Express. There is no deep underlying message in the music but is well put together, quite entertaining, non-stop, more fun than a big dog and leaves you smiling. Like Seth Rogan they are actually damned talented but maybe not going to win at Sundance. Hey maybe they should be part of Rogans next sound track? I agree with the critic that they are capable of more, a lot more but they are young and full of promise so lets wait and see what happens. Keep it up guys!
Posted on December 10, 2008 by gay for destructinator
well i want them to do me i live destructinator is awesome thsi ben guy sounds gay you wanna make out or something ben JEEZ!
Posted on December 10, 2008 by gay for destructinator 2 the correction
i meant i love destructinator sorry im bad at typing hey guess what penis penis penis yeah crude dumb comments are awesome oh yeah and by the way MANOWAR RICKS you just wish you were manly enough to wear a loin cloth in front of thousands of people and what do you mean retarded megadeth... dude megadeth is always retarded dave mustaine is a really cocky guy. yours truky -destructinatorlover
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