Issues: Issue 292 - April 2013
Reviews: Swingin’ Utters
What can I say about the Swinging Utters? That they’re an amazing band that always manages to come up with ways to never sound hackneyed or worn-out. That Poorly Formed ranks amongst this fan’s favorite releases from the band’s nearly quarter-century career. … read more
Review: Victory
Robert Fleming is the multi-instrumentalist behind Victory. He touts a 60s Brit rock sensibility and sports a rockabilly pomp—two promising signs for any music reviewer. Sadly, Victory is Music is indicative of neither. Don’t get me wrong, Fleming could pass as an authentic Britt Daniel sound-alike and can strum a hollow-body exceptionally, but it’s hard to notice at first, since every single song on the album is scrubbed and drenched with kitschy production. … read more
Review: Ulrich Schnauss
A Long Way To Fall is the fourth studio release from German producer Ulrich Schnauss. This time around, Schnauss dropped the synthesized shoegaze and embraced new age. The album concentrates on delicate, ethereal melodies that weave in and out of human subconscious. … read more
Review: Veronica Falls
If you pop this record in right now, you’ll get excited for spring. Pleasant Brit-pop bass lines hold hands with pretty vocal harmonies, making the album breezy and warm. Most of the songs have a kickback, nostalgic feel—probably due to the simple, repetitive lyrics, but no complaints here. … read more
Review: Thee Oh Sees
hese days, it seems John Dwyer only knows life from within the walls of his abundant pet projects. His dabbling with Thee Oh Sees caused the band to beget 12 albums since 2004—virtually nominating Dwyer as the Nikolai Tesla of contemporary garage/psyche. … read more
Review: They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants have had a rocky history over the past decade when it comes to their adult albums. Their 2011 album, Join Us, was OK at best, nowhere near 2007’s The Else, which left a lot of potential for Nanobots to be really awesome. … read more
Review: Tier Instinct
Released by Salt Lake’s own Slaughterhouse Records, the third release under the Tier Instinct moniker by a high-ranking member of the Church of Satan, Volume III is described as being dedicated to the Satanic Perspective, is a death knell for the project, and is a notably bleak and disturbing listen. … read more
Review: Toro Y Moi
Chaz Bundick wanted his third studio album to be a pop record; something his girlfriend could dance to. What he created is his most fluid album to date. The shades of 80s R&B and chopped vocal stabs in the background are reminiscent of his first album, … read more
Review: The Tossers
This is more traditional than many of the Celtic/punk acts out there, but that’s not to say Chicago’s Tossers ease up on the attitude. Just in time for St. Patty’s day, the Irish fury that is The Emerald City, starting with the rollicking tune “The Rover,” which exults the life of the nomad, whether drunk or sober. … read more
Review: Swagatha Christie
Swagatha is a 20-something blonde who has “swag” tattooed on her knuckles and writes about her white-girl antics. Miss Christie set out on her The Creep Van Tour 2012 last summer, with a stoner/skateboard crew who handed out “Free Sex” stickers at shows. … read more