Year: 2013
Local Reviews: The Naked Eyes
There’s something undeniably cool and timeless about blues-influenced rock and roll. As long as whiskey, cigarettes and broken hearts are en vogue, bands like The Naked Eyes will be around to provide the soundtrack to perfectly hazy nights. … read more
Local Reviews: Nathan Spenser
Nathan Spenser has put together a nice little collection of folk/rock songs, and for the majority, it’s an acoustic album. While most albums like this tend to reek of the “it’s been done before and done better” curse, Spenser seems to understand he’s not here to reinvent the genre. … read more
Local Reviews: Nine Worlds
Nine Worlds takes the pace of super slow doom/ambient metal and speed it up just enough too keep you connected. I get undeniably impatient with 12-minute-plus songs that fade into nowhere, but here I found a satisfying four-song EP with all tracks in perfect timing. … read more
Local Reviews: ODS
The appealing aspects of that band ODS didn’t like the vaguely negative review I wrote about their EP a few months ago, so I’ll be a lot more blunt about this one: it sucks. Well, that might not be an entirely accurate reflection of my feelings. I sure as hell don’t like this album, but I also don’t hate it. In fact, it stirs no emotional response in me whatsoever. … read more
Local Reviews: Reveeler
Reeveler doesn’t play your dad’s prog rock or hard rock, although their influences may come from the sort. The sound on the Ogden band’s six-song demo is a curious audible entity—quite honestly, it’s like nothing I’ve really heard. Forget the usual plethora of bands that try to emulate their favorite classic bands. Reeveler change up their tempos constantly while the drumming and guitar work leave listeners catching every note and variance in the music. … read more
Local Reviews: RuRu
An open, starry night and a brilliant fire would do nicely while listening to Isaac Russell’s soothing voice. With powerful lyrics (similar to those of Joshua James) and strong vocals used in “Bark at Ghosts,” Russell seemed to have something new and grand to add to the growing folk scene. … read more
Local Reviews: Vile Blue Shades
John Thursday California Adventure is the perfect record. It’s raunchy, fun and ridiculously danceable. A unique brand of sexuality oozes from every track. Songs like “Black Pussy,” “Purple Rain” and “Banana Hammock” are all instantly infectious and I couldn’t help but lose myself in the music. … read more
Local Reviews: The Waters Deep Here
“Ambitious as fuck” are the first few words that came to mind when I listened to this for the first time. Sunden is three tracks ranging between 12 and almost 28 minutes in length, bookended by intro and outro tracks, and separated by short but effective interludes. … read more
Local Reviews: A Balance Of Power
It’s always interesting to run into new metal locals in S.L.C. because it’s not too often you see metal heads scurry around Utah streets. A Balance of Power is new to me and Stomp the Ground is an album with five jams that have a crossover mix of metal. … read more
Local Reviews: Clayton Carr
At a dance party comprised of a packed, windowless room of T-Pain fanatics, hair gel and “shawties” all uncontrollably grinding away, this album would probably go over quite well. For most of you who don’t get all sweaty and rub up against each other to music that could be considered either “hot” or “steamy,” this album probably won’t be up your alley. … read more