Year: 2004
Local Review: Twelve State Killing Spree – Demo
Twelve State Killing Spree Demo TSKS = The Damned + _ Nelson + Teen Idols The underproduction and nasally vocals on this album make this sound like a recording my band I had in high school made—and that is not flattering. However, the early 90s (not over-) melodic tunes contrast the more-malevolent-than-your-typical-snotty/poppy-punk-band lyrics quite
Local Review: The New Transit Direction – Wonderful Defense Mechanisms
The New Transit Direction Wonderful Defense Mechanisms Some Records Even though Some Records’ press release for The New Transit Direction mistakenly says that “Salt Lake City is known more for its religious zeal than its quality independent music. The town’s isolation and small indie community gave the guys little else to depend on but their
Local Review: Theta Naught – Abacus
Theta Naught Abacus Eden’s Watchtower Theta Naught = Pink Floyd + Utah Symphony The opening track of the instrumental Abacus, “Ignition Switch,” reminds me of Pink Floyd’s “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” mixed with a bit of NIN discordance on the wavery, single guitar notes. The thick, layered strings weld perfectly with the guitar
Local Review: The happies – Meet the happies
THE HAPPIES MEET THE HAPPIES The Happies = Nick Drake + Brian Jonestown Massacre The questions you should ask yourself right now are: Why haven’t I heard of this band before, how has my life been incomplete without them, are they still around, and why did this stupid reviewer wait several months to write them up?
Local Review: The Furies – Sunday Satellite
The Furies Sunday Satellite Dumb Angels The Furies = (Pavement + Lou Reed) x emo The songs on Sunday Satellite are well thought-out, well produced and could serve as an accessory to a deep, deep depression. This minimalist, sad indie rock of The Furies could either woo the right concert audience into a feeling
Local Review: The Contingency Plan – Self-titled demo (2002)
The Contingency Plan Self-titled demo (2002) The Contingency Plan = Drive-Thru Records + sincerity Oops … this is what happens when you lose a band’s press kit in your car’s trunk for two years. This four-song demo is a neat, tight conglomeration of polished emo pop-punk with sharp production (Boho Digitalia), tight performance and
Local Review: The Jukejoint 45’s – Self-Titled EP
The Jukejoint 45’s Self-titled EP The Jukejoint 45’s = The Cramps + Elvis + Robert Johnson Grammar, children! If I see another Salt City CD’s or Go-Go’s emblem again, I’ll maul. Plurals don’t have apostrophes! Anyway, The Jukejoint 45’s make some really kick-ass rockabilly that’s not different from a dozen other rockabilly bands you’ve
Local Review: Terra Noir – Emperors of the Black Earth
Terra Noir Emperors of the Black Earth Hellspawn Creations Terra Noir = Mayhem + Dark Throne + Burzum When you look up and see the gray skies of death above your head, your final thoughts will be about the haunting voice of hell that wafts through your mind … Terra Noir have a unique
Local Review: Summerhead – Liberation
Summerhead Liberation Eden’s Watchtower Summerhead = German EBM + A Different Drum Records Mostly instrumental Summerhead ranges from new-age electronica to synthpop to hip-hop to DJ dub trance to reggae, Enya to Natalie Merchant to Massive Attack. The coherency lies in the smooth production, the peaceful, slow beat structures that are one web holding
Local Review: State & Stereo – Thinkstop
State & Stereo Thinkstop Gloworm Records State & Stereo = New York Dolls + The Strokes + The Warlocks Bratty, cheeky lo-fi rock equal parts pop, glam garage and psychedelic wash with heartrending piano is best when dipping closer to the latter two, traveling back two decades como T. Rex than suckling from fads
Local Review: Rope or Bullets – Call It for What...
Rope or Bullets Call It for What You Want Rope or Bullets = Atom and His Package + Modern English From the band that brought you “I Love Personality,” the outright best song on the Death By Salt compilation, comes a six-song precursor to a full-length album. Rope or Bullets, though not the rockin’est
Local Review: Seconds Away – Self-titled demo
Seconds Away Self-titled demo Seconds Away = The Used + Gift Anon + Drive-Thru Records OK, I put Gift Anon in there because of the tender vocals. They should send their CDs only to Drive-Thru Records and Jade Tree and call it good. Seconds Away are pretty good at making emo that doesn’t suck, thanks
