Authors: Ischa B.
Review: Candy Warpop – Transdecadence
Candy Warpop is sugary-sweet, pop punk goodness, with a delicious and flexible female vocal and a musical sensibility that suggests a variety of top-notch influences. … read more
Local Reviews: American Hitmen
American Hitmen would be considered a somewhat modernized offspring of 1980s era metal/thrasher tunes. Not so much like the metal creations who have done away with melody and music altogether—the “roll” in “rock n’ roll,” if you will. This EP seems to pay homage to some of the original interpretations of the genre, aligning more with Alice Cooper and Def Leppard stylings. … read more
Local Reviews: Lalage
Whoa. This is a whole lotta art here. Lara Candland vocalizes her poetry in various stylings over sometimes lovely, sometimes strange and bizarre background sounds, created along with Christian Asplund, her long-time partner and the other member of the duo known as Lalage. … read more
Local Reviews: Calm Paradox
Guitar-driven writing seems to be a fairly defining characteristic of Calm Paradox’s style—the arrangements, other instruments and vocals are built around guitar riffs, for better or worse. … read more
Local Reviews: ESX
“Had a thing for a girl named Annie … Found out she was a tranny…” begins the debut album of SLC locals, ESX. Crystal Pistol, sexy lead singer extraordinaire, coos, growls, chats and sings over the fast-paced beats, bouncy bass and catchy keys. … read more
Local Reviews: The Chickens
The Chickens are classic instrumental jazz by extraordinarily talented musicians. Without a piece out of place, this easy listen will keep you company from Point A to Point B, as a soundtrack to your dinner party, music to study by, music to shimmy to … the list goes on and on. … read more
Local Reviews: Isle of Skye
Bluesy, folksy and right at home here in Utah, the home of every variation of the jammy-jam band, Isle of Skye is making the soulful kind of music that is more personal expression and less pre-packaged and commercial. … read more
Local Reviews: Baby Ghosts
A little bit of video game effects, some shred-tastic guitar playing, frantic drumming and vocals that alternate from melodic to scream-y—voila! Baby Ghosts are born! The songs are fun, upbeat and punky—it’s the kinda music that would have the crowd jumping along in no time. … read more
Local Reviews: Katherine Nelson
Born Brave is Katherine Nelson’s first album, and it is a really fucking beautiful debut. She’s had plenty of experience to build on, having performed with The Nashville Tribute Band, among others, as well as having some acting experience playing Emma Smith in several films involving the Mormon icon. … read more
Local Reviews: Kristen Nelson
Beautiful, soulful melodies with drawn- out, twangy vocals comprise the majority of this seven-song EP/album, and a dash of pop helps keep it current and catchy. Kristen Nelson, originally hailing from Washington, brought the melancholy vibe often associated with her homestate to Utah. … read more