Year: 2014
Local Review: Baby Ghosts – Maybe Ghosts
For the past two years, Baby Ghosts have been the darlings of the Utah music scene. For that length of time, they’ve been crafting some of the finest, hooks-iest tunes in the West, and they’ve been slinging them relentlessly from gig to gig across the valley and the country. … read more
Local Review: AudioTreats – Vol. 2
I’m stunned by the quality of music that has come out of Utah’s EDM scene as of late. AudioTreats’ Vol. 2 is no exception. This album is a hypnotic tapestry of hip-hop and electronica. Each track is incredibly fluid, and they each fit together in perfect harmony. … read more
Local Review: Andrew Maguire’s Art Project – Artsy As Fuk
“Artsy” is in the eye or—in this case—ear of the beholder. Usually, “art” in conjunction with rock music makes one think of turgid, overblown prog rock, but Andrew Maguire’s Art Project have a punkish garage band energy that’s infectious, awkward and fun—full of “art school confidential” type self-referentiality and fake gossip. … read more
Local Review: Anthony Pena – Apology
The inside cover of this album says, “With my sincerest heart, I am so sorry for who I was.” The music that follows is apologetic and cathartic, yet full of yearning. “Junius” combines upbeat vocal harmonies and emotional bursts of guitar with the lyrics “I never thought I would die right next to you.” … read more
Local Review: Atomic 45 – Wake Up Dead
Atomic 45 = System of a Down + Rise Against + Anthrax … read more
Local Review: Andy Vigilante – Situation Comedy
Andy Vigilante = Bo Burnham + Astronautalis … read more
Local Review: Alexander Ortega – Wallwalker EP
You may have seen SLUG Magazine’s Managing Editor, Alexander Ortega, playing around town, including Friday night in-store local-band appearances at Diabolical Records and the busking area at the Craft Lake City DIY Fest. … read more
Local Review: Alumni – Decohesion
This is EP number two for these dudes of deathcore, which is always nice to see: a band with work ethic keepin’ on. They scored an impressive guest spot on “Decohesion (II)” with CJ McMahon of Thy Art Is Murder, but it’s not like their vocalists needed the help. … read more
Local Review: Q1 – The End Is To Begin
Anyone that pays homage to Eminem on his album has my respect. Q1’s debut solo album, The End is to Begin, has such a unique sound that exemplifies his passion for hip-hop. … read more
Local Review – The Wild War – Valley Rain EP
Listening to four songs is almost enough to get to know a band, though in this case, I feel like there might be something missing. “The Architecture,” is a cool, solemn and folksy number that really draws from The Devil Whale. … read more