Music
Local Reviews: Form of Rocket
In the three years since their last release, Form of Rocket have improved every aspect of their music. The drumming, bass, guitars, vocals, lyrics and production all make your jaw drop. Just put on the first track, “This is Occupation,” and you’ll get an immediate idea of what I’m talking about. The songs are more uniform while remaining complex; technical without becoming too cluttered. … read more
Local Reviews: Visitors
Immediately reminding me of one of my favorites, the astounding O’Brother, I fell in love with Nova right off the bat. It’s moody and atmospheric, driving and aggressive when it engages, and I’m pretty sure I’m slowly falling in love with Ian Cooperstein’s dynamic voice, soaring in and out between the guitars. … read more
Local Reviews: Winterlore
In the current climate of black metal, where those who sound more like tribute bands than original artists are rampant, sounding fresh is a task few new bands rarely achieve. Winterlore have made an album that provides a bountiful pillaging of excitement.
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Local Reviews: Schrei Aus Stein
This two-track EP from Schrei Aus Stein offers up some morsels of music as a precursor to the band’s upcoming third full-length, Cervin, coming soon from this one-man project, on Crucial Blast Records. With a limited release on cassette, grab this while it’s hot.
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Local Reviews: Son of Ian
The biggest thing that struck me after listening to this album was not any particular song, but the strong musical chops that Son of Ian put on display. Their sound has a fusion of both rock and funk.
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Local Reviews: King Niko
King Niko are sick as fuck. If it wasn’t enough that the songs are catchy and highly danceable, lead singer Ransom Wydner is an incredible frontman, vocally racing around a huge range and making it seem easy. … read more
Local Reviews: Funk&Gonzo
Chyeah, brahhhhhh … ahem … Sorry, this reggae is twisting my brain up. Funk&Gonzo are a reggae, funk and alt-rock mash-up that had me checking the computer after every song to make sure it hadn’t shuffled to a different artist. … read more
Local Reviews: Better Off With the Blues
This album is blues, through and through, with a thoughtful song selection and excellent execution. This is truly an anytime album, but personally, I just wanna sit and listen to it on the porch in the evening sun with a cold drink. … read more
Local Reviews: Vile Blue Shades
The aptly named Triple Threat CD collects the three out-of-print VBS albums;Dark Wizard, Bottle of Pain and Obleaske of the Orb onto one shiny super-saver disc. VBS is like a great mixed drink, combining everything in just the right proportion. … read more
Local Reviews: Night Terror
Clocking in at a diminutive 12 minutes in length, Jared Russell’s Night Terror Primitive Reaction is getting a mixed reaction. At 12 minutes it’s just enough of a conceptual build-up to maintain interest, but one wonders whether or not would still sound fresh if it had been longer. To his credit, he knows when to fold’em. … read more
Local Reviews: I Hear Sirens
The influences behind I Hear Sirens are somewhat exterior in nature. It is easy to sense a little Sigur Ros here and a little Mono there, but IHS has brought their own brand of ethereal substrate to help revive the delineating post-rock enzyme. … read more
Local Reviews: I Hate Girls with Bruises
The Salt Lake City noise scene is blowing up and it is no small part to the concerted and concentrated efforts of one Aaron Zillionaire. On this release, Zillionaire and collaborator Tia Martinez, haven’t gone the usual route of penetrating noise and obtuse shocking visuals that subordinate the sound, but have taken this one track opus and made it sound as if you were in an industrial warehouse full of machines moving blending and echoing in harmonious unison. … read more
