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: The Circulars – Self-Titled EP
The Circulars’ sound, while comparable to several bands from a bygone era of earnest and dark, jangley pop music, could be properly suited to nearly any time—simply based on the fact that the songs are good, the musicians are talented and there’s no air of pretense to deflate the mood. … read more
Local Review: The Dog – Slow and Sweet
Slow and Sweet is a mix of everything from a little grunge to some bubblegum pop and vocals that sound like a gritty Marc Bolan. … read more
Local Review: The Glass Gentlemen – Self-Titled
In some ways, The Glass Gentlemen share a lot in common with the psychodrama of early Cursive recordings. … read more
Local Review: The Fission Breakers – Interaction
Just a turn right of psychedelic and a throwback to the crotch rock of the ’60s and ’70s, Interaction has swagger to spare, even if it is sometimes derailed by a harmful devotion to The Doors.
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Local Review: The Hollering Pines – Long Nights, Short Lives and Spilled Chances
It is characterized by upbeat and bluesy tracks like “Cadillac” and more old-country and modern folk songs like “Something on My Mind.” It may be the haunting poetic lyrics, or the cool, collective twang, but either way, these country folk are sure to keep your foot bouncing and your head swaying from start to finish.
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Local Review: The Hung Ups – Against The Wall
As most pop punk goes, I’m very selective. Most bands sound like Blink-182 or The Queers rip-offs—trying to stick to a formula and not really trying anything new. … read more
Local Review: The Lazy Waves – Wavetable
Indie electro-pop is the en vogue subgenre at the moment and that is totally OK with me. The Lazy Waves’ latest EP combines a lot of the genre’s best traits, things like space-age synth sounds backing earthy lyrics and vocals, to create this solid four-track EP. … read more
Local Review: The Blind Guide – The Feast
I thought I was reviewing an ambient soundtrack before this finally picked up momentum, more than five minutes into Track 3. The first two songs consist of a spoken-word intro and a dreamy, ambient synth track. … read more
Local Review: The Creature From Jekyll Island – Self-Titled
TCFJI conquer and conjure a hell of a lot of musical goodness on their debut record. It’s highly difficult to properly describe and entirely critique what this SLC steampunk/industrial rock band does. … read more
Local Review: The Circulars – Ornamental
The Circulars’ year-long presence as a four-piece in the Salt Lake music scene was the sort of magical run that will be remembered by wide-eyed youths long after our time has passed. … read more
Local Review: The Cotton Ponies – Fancy as Fuck
The Cotton Ponies = The Coathangers + Hi-Standard x Joan Jet … read more
