Month: March 2013
Local Reviews: The Direction
Man, I love chicks who rock. And this chick totally rocks—lead singer Felicia Anderton ties up this package most delightfully, with a vintage voice that is somehow exactly what this rock n’ roll outfit wants. … read more
Local Reviews: Theta Naught
Omnium Gatherum is Theta Naught’s first full-length album in six years. Given their elastic membership and reliance on improvisation above all else, each release and live show has the capacity to take the prolific post-rock/jazz/classical collective into completely unexpected places. … read more
Local Reviews: Tupelo Moan
The minute this album starts with “Take You Out,” it feels as if it was written in a dive by two guys just jamming out for the hell of it somewhere around the Alabama/Tennessee border. Trying to capture the southern rock feel with a harder edge, Brad McCarley and Jason Roberts pounded out this eight-track trucker-like album in a matter of weeks at McCarley’s own Salt Lake Recording Service. … read more
Local Reviews: Philosofist
Holy bajoley, Batman, this really is a knuckle sandwich. As they hint with their very name, Philosofist deftly combines thoughtful musicianship with execution that gets my body swaying and hand-fists punching. Each track in Obstruction Of Moustache stands by itself as its own work of art, starkly different from its siblings. … read more
Local Reviews: DulceSky
Locals DulceSky pack a “doubleplusgood” punch with these nine songs. Although they’ve played the Dark Arts Festival and the packaging is reminiscent of ‘90s industrial, this is straightforward indie rock with a dark, intelligent, politicized edge. … read more
Local Reviews: The Fucktards
Congratulations, Fucktards: As I play this EP while my vulgar 17-year-old brother drives me to our parents’ house to steal food, he states, “This is foul.” Christ Punchen Fun! delivers boorish punk rock that sounds like it was recorded in a toilet littered with used condoms and week-old pizza crusts. … read more
Local Reviews: The Hung Ups
(First and foremost, I need to apologize to The Hung Ups for not getting to this album in time: I’ve played with these guys and they’re fucking awesome. Hands down, they deliver pissy-yet-poppy punk rock that’s in your face with no compromises. All these members have been in the Salt Lake/Utah scene for years now, and they really know how to fuck shit up. Sorry guys, have a round on me. On to the review.) The Hung Ups’ self-titled release hearkens back to the simple pop punk stylings of The Descendents with songs dealing with skating, girls and all-American pizza pies. … read more
Local Reviews: Spell Talk
Spell Talk’s past year has essentially been a tidal wave of promotion and exposure. Any album following such a hectic year needed to push in one of two directions: more of the same for fan appreciation or experimentation for personal growth. … read more
Local Reviews: The Trappers
Chances are that had I not come across this album for review, many of you wouldn’t have ever known it existed. This five-piece ensemble aimed for Americana with a twist of country, and they got it… in the blandest fucking possible manifestation they could have created. … read more
Local Reviews: The Hang Ups
The Hung Ups are back with their sophomore full-length, and they’re as catchy as ever! DotDB is tight and the guitars cinch each song together with intricate leads such as in “Donkey Lips.” … read more
Local Reviews: Jesus or Genome
Jesus or Genome is the new project from Mike Cundick, guitarist and occasional screamer of local rockers Loom. Those expecting the same sharp guitar licks and chaotic energy of Cundick’s other band are in for a surprise, as Jesus or Genome is a much more mellow affair, featuring only Cundick’s voice over an acoustic guitar. … read more
Local Reviews: One Strike One Rise
Bring it Back in Me is meandering, rote dirge rock. The band, at its most successful, recalls the gothic country of Songs: Ohia. At its least successful points, the vocals sound one take away from being finished, and there’s a flute needlessly warbling all over the track. … read more
