Issues: Issue 239 - November 2008
Local Reviews: AODL
Punishingly thick noise, AODL’s Scab Vodka Melt has a distinct protonoise flavor��a single layer of frequencies wildly fluctuating and distorted beyond all reason. Occasionally, the sounds will layer to create a bit of a dynamic building effect, but overall the album leans towards hammering consistency and repetition. … read more
Local Reviews: The Bad Apples
Salt Lake locals, The Bad Apples are back by popular demand from fans. Penalty Box Records founder, MC/ producer Mike Booth, and MC Sir Louis Wildamiss bring some cognizant vocals to this LP with many local artists popping up in guest spots too. … read more
Local Reviews: Ex Machina
I honestly have to say that Ex Machina is probably one of the best local bands. They may be slightly inconsistent, but who isn’t. The first song on the album, “Syphoned” is by far the best track, but also seems to be sort of the bastard child. “Syphoned” comes out blaring and with serious intensity. … read more
Local Reviews: I Am The
After having reviewed the EP, I thought I was prepared for whatever I Am The was going to throw at me next, but nothing could have prepared me for this full-length LP. Everything these guys did right the first time around has just been added to and amplified. … read more
Local Reviews: Johan the Angel
This fun little four-track goes something like “The General’s Son” Pt. II, I, III, and IV and in that order. Or is it one track that just lasts eleven minutes? I think they are trying to trick us. Where is Ashton Kutcher? If I’m not being punk’d, then what was Johan the Angel thinking when they wasted however much money to put out an EP with four slightly, and I mean slightly, different tracks? … read more
Local Reviews: Julio Child
The most impressive thing about this group is that both Fisch and Ebay Jamil write the music. While most of the album tightly grasps their hiphop origins, several tracks digress into acoustic ballads that almost sound like a completely different group. Julio Child may lose the attention of some hardcore hip hop fans, because of this transition on tracks like “A Long Cold Winter,” but they’re trying to create something original. … read more
Local Reviews: Laughter
Are you ready to taste the rainbow? Laughter has created a sound that dips where other locals have not. Releasing the demon of influence, You Hit the Nail on the Head has a varied rock sound. Between the second track “Auditory Ipecac” and track five “I am on my Way,” you’ll feel the slap from a Converge to Pantera sound with an underlying tribute to grunge. … read more
Local Reviews: Navigator
This self-recorded album is a wonderful little discovery. Although its running time is hardly longer than twenty minutes, the songs are full of variation that stretch from extreme reverb to quiet acoustics to delicate, tinkling sounds. … read more
Local Reviews: Pilot This Plane Down
I wanted to get my ears dirty. Instead of putting Pilot This Plane Down in my computer and doing three different things, I sat down with headphones. Exigent Records is like a grab bag of goodies and has released albums from many local artists that I dig. … read more
Local Reviews: Stag Hare
Chirping birds, folk guitar, non-Western percussion and droning static harmonies � all of these aspects usually equal something you try your hardest to ignore while a Yoga instructor orders you to relax during Savasana. So why is Black Medicine Music, a disc forged with these ingredients, so interesting? … read more