Local CD Reviews
by Various Writers
Issue 217 / January 2007 More from this Issue
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Cross-Eyed Slut
Rough
Hump! Records
Street: 2006
Cross-Eyed Slut = Guttermouth + The Cramps + System of a Down
We are lucky in these days of information to have access to many different types of musical influences. Sometimes it is a hindrance to bands when they try to incorporate too much into their music, but that is not the case with Cross-Eyed Slut."Back Door Girl" is an acoustic bluesy rambling about a sexually promiscuous girl who "only wants it on one place." The next song, "Spurs in My Back," is quite a jolt after the acoustic number; it is straight ahead psychobilly. Their music is blatantly sexual, but it's not sexy, which is a definite plus for Cross-Eyed Slut. They are a bunch of dirty dudes having a good time, and playing music that is fast, funny and arranged very well. The surprise of the album is track six "Sheep Are Easy", which has metal roots and syncopated rhythms that will make all the rude boys want to dance. Add a little rap-rock and the vision of Cross-Eyed Slut will become clear: have a good time, all the time. Andrew Glassett
Junk Drawer
Album of the Same Name
Self-Released
Street: 11.21
Junk Drawer = 311 + Dinosaur Jr. + Lansing Dreiden
There is something inherently 80s about the band Junk Drawer. Maybe it is the vintage synths or the verse chorus nature of some of their songs, but what can definitely be said is that they are doing something different than your run of the mill local indie band. The songs meander through various styles ranging from the hip-hop flavored "Let the Music Play" to the Dave Gahan influenced "Modus Operandi". A saxophone is introduced in track four "Walking on Thin Ice" and interacts nicely with the vocals and backing rhythm section. That song is particularly interesting because of all the various tempo changes that the band pulls off seamlessly, reminiscent of Sebadoh or other early indie-rock bands. The music is groovy and alive, but seems somewhat unfocusedI don't think Junk Drawer would have it any other way. Andrew Glassett
Juse
Concentrate This!
Self-Released
Street: 09.01
Juse = Social Distortion + Rancid + The Offspring
Juse (pronounced like "Juice") have been throwing out their brand of punk influenced rock in Ogden for almost four years. With Concentrate This!, Juse presents some interesting songs with plenty of energy, but it's a little too rough around the edges to stand out. Lead singer Cecil sounds like everyone from Danzig to Lane Staley to Matt Freeman on tracks that incorporate elements of grunge and even a little bit of ska into their style, but the rough musicianship and poor production really do a lot to hurt this release. Every time a guitar solo pops up, it seems to knock the songs off beat and it's easy to notice when the band misses a couple of notes. A few of the songs go on for far to long, and the sound quality is always murky and muffled. "Show 'em the Oi!" is the standout track, where the reckless intensity of the band and Cecil's aggressive vocals are actually enhanced by the production that plagues the other tracks. Concentrate This! definitely shows that Juse has some great potential, they just need to refine their game a little. Ricky Vigil
Rough
Hump! Records
Street: 2006
Cross-Eyed Slut = Guttermouth + The Cramps + System of a Down
We are lucky in these days of information to have access to many different types of musical influences. Sometimes it is a hindrance to bands when they try to incorporate too much into their music, but that is not the case with Cross-Eyed Slut."Back Door Girl" is an acoustic bluesy rambling about a sexually promiscuous girl who "only wants it on one place." The next song, "Spurs in My Back," is quite a jolt after the acoustic number; it is straight ahead psychobilly. Their music is blatantly sexual, but it's not sexy, which is a definite plus for Cross-Eyed Slut. They are a bunch of dirty dudes having a good time, and playing music that is fast, funny and arranged very well. The surprise of the album is track six "Sheep Are Easy", which has metal roots and syncopated rhythms that will make all the rude boys want to dance. Add a little rap-rock and the vision of Cross-Eyed Slut will become clear: have a good time, all the time. Andrew Glassett
Junk Drawer
Album of the Same Name
Self-Released
Street: 11.21
Junk Drawer = 311 + Dinosaur Jr. + Lansing Dreiden
There is something inherently 80s about the band Junk Drawer. Maybe it is the vintage synths or the verse chorus nature of some of their songs, but what can definitely be said is that they are doing something different than your run of the mill local indie band. The songs meander through various styles ranging from the hip-hop flavored "Let the Music Play" to the Dave Gahan influenced "Modus Operandi". A saxophone is introduced in track four "Walking on Thin Ice" and interacts nicely with the vocals and backing rhythm section. That song is particularly interesting because of all the various tempo changes that the band pulls off seamlessly, reminiscent of Sebadoh or other early indie-rock bands. The music is groovy and alive, but seems somewhat unfocusedI don't think Junk Drawer would have it any other way. Andrew Glassett
Juse
Concentrate This!
Self-Released
Street: 09.01
Juse = Social Distortion + Rancid + The Offspring
Juse (pronounced like "Juice") have been throwing out their brand of punk influenced rock in Ogden for almost four years. With Concentrate This!, Juse presents some interesting songs with plenty of energy, but it's a little too rough around the edges to stand out. Lead singer Cecil sounds like everyone from Danzig to Lane Staley to Matt Freeman on tracks that incorporate elements of grunge and even a little bit of ska into their style, but the rough musicianship and poor production really do a lot to hurt this release. Every time a guitar solo pops up, it seems to knock the songs off beat and it's easy to notice when the band misses a couple of notes. A few of the songs go on for far to long, and the sound quality is always murky and muffled. "Show 'em the Oi!" is the standout track, where the reckless intensity of the band and Cecil's aggressive vocals are actually enhanced by the production that plagues the other tracks. Concentrate This! definitely shows that Juse has some great potential, they just need to refine their game a little. Ricky Vigil
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