Issues: Issue 264 - December 2010
Local Reviews: The Black Arrows
My immediate thoughts on listening to this were, “Why?” and then the follow up, “Why does the world need more chick pop?” I believe the answer is money. At least we got to see the lead singer of Paramore’s boobs Tweeted, but I don’t think local broad Ashley Rae will be doing that anytime soon to make her music more exciting. … read more
Local Reviews: Killbot
Killbot’s back with insatiable metal hunger in The Horror E.P. Deavy Metal eases us into the mayhem with a gorgeous classical guitar intro in “Beware the Moon,” which is riddled with howls from a werewolf and the whimpers of victims-to-be. … read more
Local Reviews: Laserfang
Laserfang opens their album the way that most bands would close a set after a multi-song encore. The first track on the album, “Master Control Program” starts with a minute-long musical instrument orgy before diving into a funky, electro-infused dance party. … read more
Local Reviews: Problem Daughter
I’m a little disappointed that it took me this long to find out about this band. Problem Daughter delivers catchy-as-hell punk rock atop major-key chord progressions with fun upbeat instrumental work. What’s interesting is that the actual words that singer Regan Ashton belts out in songs like “Good Friends” aren’t what initially seize our attention, but, rather, his timbre and comfort with his melodies—he demonstrates his vocal skills with a balance of scratchy and melodic singing. … read more
Local Reviews: Stumphead
When I first looked at the album art (done in MS Paint by the looks of it) and subsequently popped in the CD, I just assumed that the band was made up of a bunch of lazy, masturbating high school sophomores. Imagine my surprise when minimal web-based research revealed that these dudes are old enough to grow facial hair and drink in bars. … read more
Local Reviews: Theta Naught
It’s Naught Christmas-time! If there is one thing to avoid like the plague this Holiday season it is overproduced, pandering Christmas albums. Luckily, for Theta Naught, Naught Christmas is none of those things. … read more
Local Reviews: Uncle Scam
There is only word I can really use to describe Uncle Scam: “Sexxxcellent.” The band, no matter how good they are, has contributed to the English language in a way where it will never be the same. “Sexxxcellent” is the title of the second track on the band’s genre-smashing, provactive full length, and I’m pretty sure the song is about singer Ischa’s sexual encounter with some unnamed grappling partner. … read more
Top 5 of 2010
To celebrate another year’s end, SLUG handpicked 13 writers to spotlight one of their favorite releases of 2010 in an extended review. Read on for Top 5 lists from SLUG’s contributors and genre-spanning reviews of artists like The Black Keys, Sleigh Bells, Acid Tiger and local artist S.L.F.M. … read more
Alaska With Mikey
I always wanted to go to Alaska. It seems to me that anyone who has snowboarded has dreamed of making it there and having the opportunity to push their snowboarding to the limit. In Alaska anything can happen––good or bad. The landscape alone speaks for itself. Sure the mountains in Utah might be just as tall, but you don’t see them protruding from the ocean like huge fangs. Everything in Alaska just seems bigger and better. … read more
Localized – The Daniel Day Trio, Night Sweats and John-Ross...
If there’s a better way to end a year than with a killer show, SLUG knows it not. We’re fucking slaying it with three amazing local groups for December’s Localized. The talent ranges from the acoustic to the dark neo-new-wave and to the eclectically electric jazz. On December 10, John-Ross Boyce & His Troubles will open the show with Night Sweats and The Daniel Day Trio headlining an end-of-decade show unlike any other. … read more