Month: April 2013
Local Reviews: Mark Dago
Plain and simple, this is one of the better local CDs I have been lucky enough to come across. SelfHighFive is a testament to the talent in the area—the production is tight, the beats hit your ears crisp and clear, and the dude’s lyrics are sharp. … read more
Local Reviews: Red Pete
Red Pete hits the nail on the head in the first song “Best Defense” when singer/bassist Keith Callister sings, “You tripped a landmine in my head.” I couldn’t have said or sung it better myself there, Keith—a landmine has definitely been tripped in my head by your sweet, jiving jams. … read more
Local Reviews: Righteous Audio Werks
Vocal-free reggae is amazing. It elevates the standard genre above just something to get stoned to and takes it to a level similar to jazz. That may be a bold statement, but bold bands like Righteous Audio Werks (RAW) are happy to do it. … read more
Local Reviews: Soft BleR
ElekHztro, from Orem’s Soft BleR, is an album that doesn’t show its true colors until most listeners have pushed skip on their iPods. Electronic wizard Sam Davis places a formidable road block with the first half of the album that could alienate listeners without the patience to wade through the headache-inducing minimal chord progressions and pummeling house beat. … read more
Local Reviews: Timothy Hay
This Wreckerd is all over the place as far as genre, bouncing back and forth from blues to folk and everything in between. However, this roots cavalcade hits all the right spots to make an interesting record. With over a dozen players featured, the record becomes epic in scope. … read more
Local Reviews: Victims Willing
I couldn’t be more impressed with a band I hadn’t heard a thing about until I had the CD in my hands. This is hardcore punk rock with just as much vibrancy and attention to melody as brutality, and it has as much viscosity as anyone can handle. … read more
Local Reviews: Wings of Normandy
Hailing from good ol’ Salt Lake City, Wings of Normandy have been busy with a brand new album, Bitterroot, released on their own label, Narwhal Records. … read more
Local Reviews: Blackhounds
These days you gotta be specific. Is it alt-rock? Indie rock? Jam rock? No? How about Goth rock? Post punk? Post tech? Techno punk? Stop the list, I’m getting dizzy. There is a true plethora of sub-genres in today’s musical landscape. It’s exhausting, which is what makes reviewing this band such a pleasure. … read more
Local Reviews: Danger Hailstorm
On first listen, Danger Hailstorm sounds like an 80s butt-rock band that can’t let go of the past and continues to try and make bitches-and-booze music. After a few more listens, though, I realized that the band is actually trying to create post-hardcore type stuff. … read more
Local Reviews: Dirty Vespuccis
There are a few reasons why I’ve avoided so-called “street punk” for most of my life. First of all, I don’t really have the body type to pull off skin-tight leopard print pants. … read more