Month: December 2013
Review: Ills – Hideout From The Feeders
This album mixes aspects I’m fond of—catchy progressions matched on bass and guitar that give the rhythm a thickness I could move to—with aspects I could leave behind, like vocals that sometimes sound a little too much like Isaac Brock, for example. … read more
Review: Irish Moutarde – Raise ’Em All
A mix of alternating lead vocals—switching between nearly each band member—and representation of bagpipes, accordion and banjo, played to fast-paced punk rock, make for a really exciting sound. Like any Irish-style band, they include their drinking songs like the bittersweet “Farewell to Drunkenness” and the festive “Glasses to the Sky.” … read more
Review: Iron Chic – The Constant One
“Whoas” and subtle vocal harmonies adorn these major-key pop punk songs that elicit emotion in a heartening way, as if Iron Chic’s M.O. was to purge our negative thinking by way of sonic chemotherapy. … read more
Review: Jeffrey Novak – Lemon Kid
One assumes that the unintentionally yet appropriately titled opener, “Endless Repetition,” sounds like a first-stage demo on purpose, or that the title track is really dreadful, despite the briefly creative drumming that it starts with. … read more
Review: I Break Horses – Chiaroscuro
Although it feels like I’ve heard this album a hundred times before, performed by different artists throughout the years, I Break Horses deliver a skillful synth-pop performance of epic proportions. … read more
Review: hERETICS iN tHE lAB – SUTURE
This is your basic cross between metal and industrial music. It is not horrible, and it’s put together well, but nothing really stands out. The typical, grinding guitar riffs and slower bass lines are reminiscent of those that we have heard over and over at the local strip club. … read more
Review: Haim – Days Are Gone
The simple kick drum and offsetting claps will keep this track stuck in your head for days. But “My Song 5” is a bit darker and slower. Choppy and squelchy, this track possesses aspects of a grimy club track, which made it my favorite Haim piece to date. … read more
Review: Green Velvet – Unshakable
This album is ahead of its time, and I’ve got a feeling that these tracks are going to be snaking their way into the club for at least the next decade, which, to be honest, is close to 100 years in the EDM culture. It is pure, unapologetic insanity—it’s THAT fucking good. … read more
Local Review: Vile Blue Shades – Live! in Salt Lake -or-...
Red state, blue state, now that both the Red Bennies and Vile Blue Shades allegedly are no more, Utah is much less a punk rock state. … read more
Local Review: Ulteriors – Self-Titled
With subjects ranging from politics, religion, war and corporate control, Ulteriors have taken heed to the classic punk rock sound, both lyrically and musically as they so proclaim. … read more
Local Review: The Pigeons – Self-Titled
The Pigeons present a raw, rough sound with pure punk elements, and this recording has a gritty realness to it that suggests it was recorded live. … read more
Local Review: The Moth & the Flame – &
Producer Joey Waronker (drummer for Beck) has melded together this artistic vision with unconventional and wonderfully complex rhythms. This EP thumps in its catchy haunt and one can’t help but to close their eyes and listen. … read more
