Year: 2014
Local Review: Twilight Transmissions – Temple Of Abandonment
Local musician Christopher Alvarado is on a creative binge lately and just keeps pumping out quality ambient pieces, this time alongside Jeff Duke. This is not as calming as what we are used to hearing from him, as it is a haunting release that has you envisioning the conflicts of an insane mind. … read more
Local Review: The Pillar – Songs From The Hollow
Packed full of moody, bluesy, folksy rock n’ roll, The Pillar’s debut album, Songs From the Hollow, has its roots firmly planted in American music tradition. … read more
Local Review: The National Parks – Young
I listen to an album like this and think, “How in the hell is this band not on every single person’s iPod on the planet?” This three-piece Provo band has it all in Young. It’s heartbreaking, reaffirming, energetic and fun—all while being thoughtful. … read more
Local Review: The North Valley – Patterns In Retrospect
The North Valley are not afraid to leave it all on the table. They aren’t afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, either. That becomes obvious some 10 seconds into the first track, “Stones To Change,” which does its best “Tears of Rage” impression. … read more
Local Review: The Salt, The Sea, and The Sun God...
The Salt, The Sea, and The Sun God = Zorch + And So I Watch You from Afar + early Bright Eyes … read more
Local Review: The Fission Breakers – Interaction
Just a turn right of psychedelic and a throwback to the crotch rock of the ’60s and ’70s, Interaction has swagger to spare, even if it is sometimes derailed by a harmful devotion to The Doors.
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Local Review: The Hollering Pines – Long Nights, Short Lives...
It is characterized by upbeat and bluesy tracks like “Cadillac” and more old-country and modern folk songs like “Something on My Mind.” It may be the haunting poetic lyrics, or the cool, collective twang, but either way, these country folk are sure to keep your foot bouncing and your head swaying from start to finish.
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Local Review: The Hung Ups – Against The Wall
As most pop punk goes, I’m very selective. Most bands sound like Blink-182 or The Queers rip-offs—trying to stick to a formula and not really trying anything new. … read more
Local Review: The Lazy Waves – Wavetable
Indie electro-pop is the en vogue subgenre at the moment and that is totally OK with me. The Lazy Waves’ latest EP combines a lot of the genre’s best traits, things like space-age synth sounds backing earthy lyrics and vocals, to create this solid four-track EP. … read more
Local Review: The Blind Guide – The Feast
I thought I was reviewing an ambient soundtrack before this finally picked up momentum, more than five minutes into Track 3. The first two songs consist of a spoken-word intro and a dreamy, ambient synth track. … read more