Local Reviews: Bears On Parade

Local Reviews: Bears On Parade
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I am supposed to avoid vague, nonsensical descriptions when writing a review, but this album is slightly vague and nonsensical, so fuck it. This album is like a swim through a cave of glitter followed by that slimy feeling you get after showering in soft water.  … read more

Local Reviews: Books about UFOs

Local Reviews: Books about UFOs
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People say that Books about UFOs is a garage group, and the band cites 13th Floor Elevators as an influence, but they couldn’t sound less psychedelic if they tried.  If you go into this expecting to hear anything even close to The Sonics or The Reigning Sound, you’ll be pretty dissatisfied.  … read more

Local reviews: Chris DeVito

Local reviews: Chris DeVito
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Opening track “No Sense of Rhythm” starts this album off promisingly with propulsive drums and taut New Wave guitar, culminating in an arena-era Police-esque chorus.  Considering Chris DeVito learned drums to record this album, it’s impressive how percussion-centered the album is.  … read more

Local Reviews: Data Booty

Local Reviews: Data Booty
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I have listened to this tape over 1000 times now, no joke. There is something about booty house music that is so refreshing in a world of music where everyone takes themselves so seriously. MSSV Music has probably the best lineup of artists testing out new musical paths right now, and they offer free mixtapes from their site regularly.  … read more

 
 
Local Reviews: Exer Ovu

Local Reviews: Exer Ovu
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Exer Ovu, the acoustic music project of Derek Griffith, uniquely combines the energy of acoustic punk with the flamboyance of freak folk.  Griffith has an expressive voice that he uses mostly to good effect, notably on opener “You’re Making Me Nervous,” a minute-long blast of hoarse four-chord punk.   … read more

Local Reviews: Joseph (The Voluptuary) Smith

Local Reviews: Joseph (The Voluptuary) Smith
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The most striking thing about this record, straight off the bat, is that the all-black plastic CD case has a small castle (temple?) adorned with a sparkly mushroom placed on the middle of the cover—that’s three-dimensionally, sticking out about three inches!  … read more

Local Reviews: Various Artists

Local Reviews: Various Artists
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The first release from Utah Heavy Guitar Rock Records is a free compilation with Volume 2 already at its heels. The aptly-titled comp of 10 artists is a stark eye-opener, showcasing some serious guitar chops as well as strong songwriting abilities. … read more

Local Reviews: The Lionelle

Local Reviews: The Lionelle
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Musically, The Lionelle could easily exist as a simple vehicle for Tate Law’s strange but drop-dead affecting voice. Law’s vocals, if you haven’t heard them, sound like a mix between a collapsed-lung Tim Kasher and an emotionally attached Johnny Whitney. … read more

The Book Arts Program: Technology Doesn’t Die, It Becomes Art

The Book Arts Program: Technology Doesn’t Die, It Becomes Art
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Walking into the Book Arts Program is like traveling into a decades old newspaper printing plant. Gigantic letterpresses and nipping presses dominate the front room where students and community members engage in the centuries-old process of inking large rollers to apply fresh ink on a poster, or tightening the clamp on a nipping press to bind a book. … read more

Shop Talk with Brick & Mortar

Shop Talk with Brick & Mortar
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Hondo opened SLC’s first ever skate-only shop, Brick & Mortar (561 W 200 S), on July 31. It’s a fresh lookin’ shop, but don’t get confused, it’s not FICE in there. Hondo says, “The way I see it, I can’t sell a pair of pants for $200 when that’s 20 hours of work or half of someone’s rent.” You’re only going to find useful skate products in this shop. … read more