Year: 2013
Local Reviews: ZODIAC
Crash-landing in your backyard with proof that Salt Lake is actually in outer space, ZODIAC is here to take revenge for what you did to him in Roswell. That revenge is taking place in your eardrums. … read more
Local Reviews: Twisted Axis
If Nickelback and Black Sabbath were forced to combine forces, this is the product of that sad, sad scenario. Twisted Axis has a lot of ’70s rock influences, which is all well and good, but there is also a definite early 2000s radio “rock” music direction they tend to lean toward. The vocals are pretty weak, and there’s no real spark in the music, but I can see how people could like it. … read more
Local Reviews: Ugly Valley Boys
Traditional, American roots and hillbilly are all adjectives that have somewhat permeated into the underbelly of “country music.” With all the negative connotations and pop music associated with the current state of country music, it pains me to call this country. … read more
Local Reviews: Various Artists
I was pleasantly surprised when I popped in Billygoat Database’s Time Capsule compilation, featuring music from VCR5, Nolens Volens and more. Not quite knowing what to expect, I was greeted with some extremely creative and varied techno jams. Each song seems to take you on a whirlwind adventure through a strange and mysterious land that is half Tron and half Lagoon. … read more
Local Reviews: The Weekenders
If you’re going to submit an album or EP to be reviewed, please don’t just burn a CD and throw it in a blank sleeve without a track listing. I have better things to do than look at your fucking MySpace page to match up the five songs you haphazardly sent in. … read more
Local Reviews: American Attic
Someone should have told American Attic that they’re a bit late for the pop punk genre, which peaked over a decade ago. One should never judge a book or an album by its cover, but in this case, the cliché black shirts and poses by the band members are appallingly indicative of American Attic’s content. … read more
Local Reviews: Blinded By Truth
This five-song EP from local punk outfit Blinded By Truth conjures memories of adolescent summer nights full of everything but responsibility. The songs are pretty traditional in their makeup for the most part, definitely following in the footsteps of giants like NOFX with the harmonizing vocals and driving guitar chords. … read more
Local Reviews: Clocks
This album must have been recorded in the Cave of Time from the Choose Your Own Adventure book series. It features a number of disjointed sounds, instruments and samples that jump in and out of subdued feedback modulations. The album never bothers to move beyond this, ahem, timeless configuration. … read more
Local Reviews: Discoid A
Maybe it’s the band’s name or the crudely drawn anarchy symbol sharpied on the CD-R, but I assumed this would be Discharge-worshipping, anarcho punk of the crustiest breed. I was pretty far off the mark, as it’s 16 short tracks of obstinately lo-fi acoustic punk that falls somewhere between the vocal style of Lou Barlow and Chris Dodge. … read more
Local Reviews: Disforia – Our Time Defined
Local power metal outfit Disforia’s first full-length album, Our Time Defined, is a well produced and sharpened collection that surprises with its organization and wide use of instruments. The strongest song on the album is “Of Wolves And Men”—it has a wonderful intro with faded, ancient vocals dancing over distortion and heartbeat-drumming. … read more