Music
Local Review: VCR5 – Radical
It would be a bit disingenuous to lump Joe Greathouse in with the pasty crowd of chiptune musicians. On the surface, it makes a bit of sense. … read more
Local Review: Rise In Style – Self-Titled
This six-song album has notes borrowed from a variety of alternative rockers. Opener “Do Away” is a hopeful anthem that strokes the edge of Angels and Airwaves without the excessive reverb. “Revival” has a post-hardcore, At the Drive-In feel, though without as much edge. … read more
Local Review: Mustard Tiger/Satanic Hispanic
This grind/fastcore/powerviolence split comes from two groups who don’t take themselves too seriously. Mustard Tiger, whose name is derived from an insult hurled during an episode of Trailer Park Boys, bring some raw jams to their side—and we’re talking raw. … read more
Local Review: Laughter – Ain Soph Aur
There’s definitely not a lot to laugh about on this gloomy EP from Laughter, made up of a talented trio of SLC musicians. There is a duality in the music presented on the record. … read more
Local Review: Jake Burch – Bloodflower
Jake Burch sings like someone pleading for absolution, as if he’s somewhere in the astral plane, stuck between stations. Burch’s voice can move up the octave scale from a twangy, marble-mouthed drawl to an impressive Jeff Buckley howl in a strained falsetto that pushes the recording into the red in a few quick movements. … read more
Local Review: Echodog – Mine
Echodog reeks with potential. With a short five-track album, these locals know how to play. Each track is rock-oriented, with the exception of “Mine,” which feels more along the lines of acoustic, alternative coffee-shop rock—not that that’s a bad thing. … read more
Local Review: The Blind Guide – The Feast
I thought I was reviewing an ambient soundtrack before this finally picked up momentum, more than five minutes into Track 3. The first two songs consist of a spoken-word intro and a dreamy, ambient synth track. … read more
Reviews: Unicycle Loves You – The Dead Age
The Dead Age fills well-titled tracks (names like “Suicide Pizza,” “Face Tattoo” and “Endless Bummer”) with the retro fuzz sound that’s seized the garage scene. The track names alone would be enough to get me to listen at least once. … read more
Reviews: Wild Ones – Keep it Safe
This album is sure to be a great summertime hit. The first song, “Golden Twin,” is catchy, and they maintain that interest pretty solidly throughout. … read more
Reviews: Vertical Scratchers – Daughter of Everything
Vertical Scratchers are a two-piece band made up of ex-Brainiac and Enon guitarist John Schmersal and former Triclops! drummer Christian Beaulieu. This is the debut album for the duo, and it stands as a testament to the heartwarming, poetic rock direction that Merge Records seems to be embracing with their new releases. … read more
Reviews: Turchi – Can’t Bury Your Past
The beauty of the blues is that it’s so simple and raw that it can convey anything from anybody. It’s not playing different chords—it’s that one can play the same chords that have been played forever, and still play them with one’s own pain with one’s own soul. Turchi play a gritty, textured style of the blues, which, at times, is pretty remarkable … … read more
Reviews: The Trouble With Templeton
- Rookie
This group of Australians recently made a musical transition with this new album. They went from alternative folk on their first album, Bleeders, to an alternative rock band. … read more
