Issues: Issue 277 - January 2012
Local Reviews: Bellrave
Local dance musician Allison Martin continues her quest to become the resident queen of the disco scene. Her latest project—a collaboration with Allister Marx, under new moniker Bellrave—certainly takes her one step closer. … read more
Local Reviews: Broken Silence
“Broken Silence means a change in the way music is viewed and heard.”—Words from their Facebook page. Three emcees come together to form this hip hop group that has nearly a decade under their belts. We See Everything is pretty good for an EP. … read more
Local Reviews: Calm Paradox
Guitar-driven writing seems to be a fairly defining characteristic of Calm Paradox’s style—the arrangements, other instruments and vocals are built around guitar riffs, for better or worse. … read more
Local Reviews: Dustin Christensen
Christensen, the former lead singer of Provo-based indie group Jerrytown, finally put together his much anticipated solo album Highway Lines, with hopes of capturing the audience of old and new indie fans. … read more
Local Reviews: ESX
“Had a thing for a girl named Annie … Found out she was a tranny…” begins the debut album of SLC locals, ESX. Crystal Pistol, sexy lead singer extraordinaire, coos, growls, chats and sings over the fast-paced beats, bouncy bass and catchy keys. … read more
Local Reviews: The Jingoes
I remember seeing the Jingoes open for Mike Watt a few years back at Bar Deluxe. What I liked about them continues to make me nod my head as I listen today. This is a seriously great band. … read more
Local Reviews: MAD MAX
A hip hop record that uses all-live instrumentals usually falls to one end of the spectrum: either really awesome or really bad. Combinations of rock music and hip hop are even less reliable—certain elements of live rock seem to clash with some of the other components of hip hop, like clear vocal delivery and danceable rhythm. … read more
Local Reviews: Palace of Buddies
Salt Lake is lucky to be home to these experimental, shoe-gazing badasses. Taking a turn from their first album, which was more rock based, Summertimes has an electro-pop, retro feel—heavy on seductive bass lines and salivating keyboard. … read more
Local Reviews: Riksha
Longevity in local artists is somewhat uncommon. I remember hearing about Jesus Rides a Riksha back when I was in high school and my brothers were going to the University of Utah. They were members of a fraternity that had the band play at one of their parties. Strangely enough, Night Begins is my first instance in actually hearing the band. … read more
Local Reviews: Starmy
If you have been living in a cave and don’t know shit about local music, Starmy are Salt Lake legends. When I first moved to Utah, I remember seeing them often and thought, ‘Man, if these dudes weren’t wasted they would fucking kick ass.’ Well guess what … They’re probably still drunk, but they sound soooo fucking good now. I caught them at Urban a while back after a year or more of not seeing them, and they were top-notch. … read more