Month: April 2013
Local Reviews: Late Night Alumni
In the fast-paced world of electronica, it isn’t surprising that this is LNA’s fourth album since their 2005 debut, but rather, it is pleasantly shocking to hear how sleek it sounds, especially for an SLC-based outfit. Arguably, this is because well-known DJ and local-adopted son Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade) is the mastermind behind the sound, but vocalist Becky Jean Williams—whose little-girl cooing is perfect for this genre—more than holds her own. … read more
Local Reviews: Les Sages
The idea of Les Sages’ third album sounds better than the outcome. It’s a baroque form of rock with a slight mariachi influence. The music itself sounds great, but there’s a sense of freedom lacking in the songs. The storytelling lyrics are intense, but the percussion-driven arrangements seem to inhibit the energy created by Joe Larson’s vocals. … read more
Local Reviews: Matthew Quen Nanes
Right in that new folk/punk singer-songwriter niche with a country touch, Nanes can put a tune together. This three-song EP shows a lot of potential. It’s different from a lot of the material I would compare it to, which is a very good thing. … read more
Local Reviews: Night Sweats
Usually, an EP will comprise a few songs representing a short body of work by a band. In the case of Night Sweats’ Red EP, four songs make up over 30 minutes of dark yet poppy electronic indie music. I keep seeing references to them on my Facebook feed. Red makes it quickly obvious why they’re on every tongue and fingertip. … read more
Local Reviews: The Rose Phantom
The latest release by Salt Lake’s own Ted Newsom, Abandon represents a new direction as Newsom turned his back on his other projects to focus two years’ time on the Rose Phantom persona and work. Marrying lush dramatics and intricate electronica, the album’s 10 tracks of careful and succinct industrial-tinged darkwave would not be out of place in a goth club or in an alternative radio station’s rotation. … read more
Local Reviews: Salt Lake Spitfires
Salt Lake Spitfires aptly synthesize thrash guitars and mid-tempo punk rock right off the bat with “Mountain” in the Chaos Baby EP, and pin down exactly what it would be like at a rock n’ roll show in the ’70s. The Spitfires succeed in varying their songs yet retaining their own sonic signature. … read more
Local Reviews: Searching for Celia
I reeeeally enjoy Searching For Celia’s sound. I love strings, and I love them even more when they’re moody, frantic and excitable. I love them most of all when their undeniably classical sound is mixed into a modern interpretation, paired with electric guitars, bass and hearty drums. … read more
Local Reviews: Sinthesis
You’d think that a fusion of hip hop and blues would be a musical trainwreck, but Phaust and Phingaz, who make up Sinthesis, blend the two genres nicely––especially considering they wrote and recorded Horseshoes & Handgrenades in a little over a week. … read more
Local Reviews: Wake Up Nebula
Wake Up Nebula Never Fall In love With Birds Self-Released Street: 02.12 Wake Up Nebula = Metro Station / Shiny Toy Guns Emo-electro has had its ups and downs in terms of popularity—maybe there are still some die-hards out there still listening to Playradioplay!. There always seems to be somewhat of a whiny, perhaps nerdy
Local Reviews: Cathy Foy
“I can carry my own weight, I can carry my own sins, away,” Cathy Foy delicately sings on “I Became a Flash” from her sophomore release, Quiet as the Hour. Most of us are accustomed to seeing Foy behind a drum set playing for scene makers such as Hang Time, Future of the Ghost, Bluebird Radio, The Awful Truth, The Downers and more. On Quiet, Foy showcases a newfound confidence in songwriting and performance. … read more