Subterranean Masquerade
Suspended Animation Dreams
The End Records
SM = Pink Floyd + Polyphonic Spree + Katatonia + Paradise Lost + Tommy
Subterranean Masquerade's much-anticipated first full-length album picks up where two-song EP Temporary Psychotic State left off, giving us Pink Floyd psychedelia, Porcupine Tree/Devin Townsend prog rock and 60s Tommy concept-rock-opera insanity, but blended together in a mixture that is all its own. Some moments (the five-or-six-voice choral moments) remind of the supra-upbeat Polyphonic Spree. Seven-minute opus "No Place Like Home" is one of the best tracks, with its heartbreaking, mournful violin, gentle piano, harmonized vocals and sludge-guitar chorus. A lot of Suspended Animation has certain world music overtones; Middle Eastern forays, dulcimer, gypsy fiddle, etc. Spoken word is courtesy of local producer/Misfits Toys mini-guitarist Samuel Johnson and SLUG's own graphic designer Sarah Pendleton! Jake Depolittle (Union of the Snake) plays guitars and bass; Willis Clow (SLAJO) plays guitars and mandolin; Wendy Jernigan (ex-COSM) sings in "Awake." Mike Sartain guest vocals on "The Rock N' Roll Preacher." www.submasq.com

Swedish Music in Utah
Lucia Celebration
Utah Arts Council
Lucia Celebration = cute times + food, folks & fun
This CD is just sickeningly cute. It's a bunch of Swedish young people singing trad Swedish music. It's a recording of the Lucia Day Celebration, put on by Utah's Swedish Heritage Society. Sweden happens to be the coolest country in the free world. Four reasons: 1) socialized healthcare, 2) free college 3) government support for musicians 4) Peps. This CD can't help but win. The lo-fi, amateur approach is not a nuisance; it's endearing. Lone accompaniment piano backs up medium-to-older voices offset by softer, younger vocals in three major sections: Tracks 1-7 and 13-18 are by the Lucia Choir; tracks 8-12 are the Children's Choir and tracks 19-24 are Children's Dance Music. Brings back memories of those ward talent show nights in the cultural hall. With the nightmarish quality erased. The rendition of "Silent Night" ("Stilla Nacht,") is especially nice. www.utahfolkarts.org

Vile Blue Shades
Dark Wizard
Croakfrog
Vile Blue Shades = Do Make Say Think + The Fall + Ralph Steadman
Vile Blue Shades, who had a CD release at SLUG HQ during April Gallery Stroll, are in anti-heaven where The Swans float around with The Fall, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Junior Kimbrough, monk-like chanting and like, The Germs, on this weird puffy pink cloud that's sharp and real and not the result of a drug-induced hallucination. Hard, repeating blues lines come off punk and art-rock; experimental soundscapes abound. They have one of the best CD booklets/artwork ever, nationally or locally (illustrated/designed by Joel Cable). Lyric sample: "I looked to the stars, expecting something profound ... I stood atop a pile of trash & sang carols, all depicting the world and how I'll rule it." This shit is wicked.