Issues: Issue 299 - November 2013
Review: Goblin – Tour EP
Goblin occupy a strange musical space, leaning most heavily toward prog, but also referencing creature feature organ music, when fitting. Profondo Rosso has long been one of my favorite Goblin scores, particularly the title track. The version that appears on Tour EP is my favorite of the five pieces that make up the set. … read more
Local Review: Turned to Stone – The Memory I’ve Become
This is a beautiful EP by one of the valley’s most exciting melodic death metal acts, in the opinion of this humble critic. … read more
Local Review: The Obliterate Plague – The Wrath of Cthulhu
The Salt Lake City death metal band that’s always persistent and consistently good has finally officially recorded some tunes for the masses. Founding members Alexander Jorgenson and Alex Gomez have picked a collection of tracks from the band’s earlier era that never got any proper recording treatment and gave them the deluxe workup in an oh-so-good way. … read more
Local Review: The Beehive Compilation – Volume 1
The collection includes some local favorites that I am familiar with, like King Niko, and surprised me with quite a few that I was not. It’s a great selection of indie and alternative styles, including pop rock, pop punk, folk, electronic, a bit of rap/hip hop and even a dash of female mojo (via The Blue Aces, Kitfox, Ashlee Woo, Summer Lasts Forever). … read more
Local Review: SubRosa – More Constant Than the Gods
Haunting in their beauty, SubRosa are simply one of the best bands in dark and heavy music. More Constant Than the Gods follows the highly celebrated No Help For the Mighty Ones, and carries on the same level of excellence found on that album. … read more
Local Review: Replica Mine – A Ghost In The Womb
Part 1: Acceptance begins softly and sweetly, with a simple guitar riff and some breathy vocals. Things quickly evolve with electronic details and effects that give a definite ’80s synthpop kind of feel. … read more
Local Review: Mortigi Tempo – Bob Your Head Suzie
Bob Your Head Suzie begins heavy, with overdriven guitar bass and what sounds like pounded, low-end piano on a track called “Air Raid” that has vocals so buried it comes off as instrumental. … read more
Local Review: Gothen – Self-Titled
What can you say about a local album that measures closely to established contemporary acts like Grizzly Bear? It’s clear who Gothen’s influences are, but it’s also clear they understand how to develop fine music rather than mimic it. … read more
Local Review: Eli Whitney – We’ve Got Questions If You’ve...
Surprisingly dynamic, blending hard rock with a Lostprophets-esque post-hardcore sound, Eli Whitney’s debut album rocks. … read more
Local Review: Desert Empire – Like Home
After seven interminable years of anticipation and a recent name change (originally Velvet City), Desert Empire have released a heavily progressive first album that veritably blew me away. Intricate, rolling drum patterns, matched with a mix of soft and sonorous upper–register piano riffs create an aquatic theme like a deep–ocean odyssey. … read more