Year: 2013
Local Review: The Arcadians
The Arcadians released an EP earlier this summer, this Provo-based indie band is back again with a 10-track album, No More Nightmares. Like a lot of indie bands these days, The Arcadians follow a trend of putting less focus on song melodies, keeping the spotlight on vocals, along with simple chord changes and guitar riffs. … read more
Local Review: Book on Tape Worm
Book on Tape Worm have struck a perfect balance of expressing themselves artistically and considering their audience. Their folksy aesthetic is unique because of its whimsical nature and delicate sound, which is accented nicely by cello and bells. … read more
Local Review: Brisk1er
Brisk1er’s second compilation album coalesces meaty funk beats with a wide variety of local rap artists. If he continues to pump out substantial mix tapes, the crossroads of the West will soon be a heavy contender in the national underground rap scene. … read more
Local Review: The Direction
Even though you might not think “gypsy anything” based on the equation of music I used above to describe The Direction’s sound, use your imagination when I say that they create a unique brand of gypsy-blues-rock that incorporates sounds from all of the above. … read more
Local Review: The Hang Ups
I love everything about punk rock—the anger, the energy, all of it. I hope that three-piece bands like The Hung Ups are always around. The songs on this EP are so immediate and easy to get into. … read more
Local Review: Uniphi
Walk your Road is a straight-up feel-good jam-a-licious love-fest. The music is country-reggae, the vocals are executed with an island twist, and the lyrics are a non-stop celebration of life, full of self-exploration, appreciation and love. … read more
Local Review: Zombie Book Club
This local duo still has a ways to go to catch up with Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, but nonetheless, this debut album features some decent zombie tunes, if that’s your kind of thing. … read more
Local Review: The Arcadians
The Arcadians has a pretty sound overall, with a lot of the focus on the vocals, but there is not a lot of substance to latch on to. My biggest complaint about this debut album from this Provo group is that it lacks originality. … read more
Local Review: Wildcat Strike
The word that best describes this album is “raw.” It’s safe to say that Wildcat Strike’s debut release is nothing short of original. Psychedelic and folk influences are present. There’s even a tinge of blues, but with raw talent, this band has melded their own form of rock. … read more
Local Reviews: Advent Horizon
These guys are extraordinarily talented young musicians, and I had the great pleasure of witnessing them firsthand at a live show this past year. Musically, they are dedicated to beautiful, progressive rock songs, and they jam till they’re done—all the songs on the album are over four minutes long, and about half are over six. … read more