I honestly have to say that Ex Machina is probably one of the best local bands. They may be slightly inconsistent, but who isn’t. The first song on the album, “Syphoned” is by far the best track, but also seems to be sort of the bastard child. “Syphoned” comes out blaring and with serious intensity. … read more
After having reviewed the EP, I thought I was prepared for whatever I Am The was going to throw at me next, but nothing could have prepared me for this full-length LP. Everything these guys did right the first time around has just been added to and amplified. … read more
This fun little four-track goes something like “The General’s Son” Pt. II, I, III, and IV and in that order. Or is it one track that just lasts eleven minutes? I think they are trying to trick us. Where is Ashton Kutcher? If I’m not being punk’d, then what was Johan the Angel thinking when they wasted however much money to put out an EP with four slightly, and I mean slightly, different tracks? … read more
The most impressive thing about this group is that both Fisch and Ebay Jamil write the music. While most of the album tightly grasps their hiphop origins, several tracks digress into acoustic ballads that almost sound like a completely different group. Julio Child may lose the attention of some hardcore hip hop fans, because of this transition on tracks like “A Long Cold Winter,” but they’re trying to create something original. … read more
Are you ready to taste the rainbow? Laughter has created a sound that dips where other locals have not. Releasing the demon of influence, You Hit the Nail on the Head has a varied rock sound. Between the second track “Auditory Ipecac” and track five “I am on my Way,” you’ll feel the slap from a Converge to Pantera sound with an underlying tribute to grunge. … read more
This self-recorded album is a wonderful little discovery. Although its running time is hardly longer than twenty minutes, the songs are full of variation that stretch from extreme reverb to quiet acoustics to delicate, tinkling sounds. … read more
I wanted to get my ears dirty. Instead of putting Pilot This Plane Down in my computer and doing three different things, I sat down with headphones. Exigent Records is like a grab bag of goodies and has released albums from many local artists that I dig. … read more
Chirping birds, folk guitar, non-Western percussion and droning static harmonies � all of these aspects usually equal something you try your hardest to ignore while a Yoga instructor orders you to relax during Savasana. So why is Black Medicine Music, a disc forged with these ingredients, so interesting? … read more
While Billy Joe Armstrong is moonlighting as a 60s garage band with Foxboro, Starmy is right here in our backyard and doing it a hundred times better. So many bands out there are trying to replicate the classic rock sound, but Starmy isn’t trying to replicate anyone or anything. … read more
This disc got me interested in what’s going on in northern Utah, which I can’t say anything else has done in recent memory. Saxophone is mixed with shredderific guitar, thoughtful melodies and some interesting vocals form this release. … read more
Love is in the air—unless that’s something else slowly choking the life out of you. February is the month of Valentine’s Day, so what else to recommend but some series in the rom-com category? I mean, we all know how fucking touchy Presidents’ Day is anymore. … read more
I once saw KRS-One at Bricks, long ago. I think he was touring for Kristyles, marking the first time I ever saw the Blast Master perform live. And it was absolutely amazing. … read more
