Authors: JP
Local Reviews: The Naked Eyes
Using their first release, Free and Easy, as a solid point to base jump off makes this local three-piece’s latest efforts a great follow-up to their previous grounded approach. As they continue to refine their signature style it seems they have no hinderance in the creative flow they’ve coddled––and are now unleashing it on The West. … read more
Local Reviews: Muscle Hawk
This band is fucking hot to trot. Two guys on synths/computers plus one lady on the drums formulates the perfect combination for a dance party. There is a reason one of their songs is called “Cocaine,” because MH is audio base. … read more
Local Reviews: The Black Arrows
My immediate thoughts on listening to this were, “Why?” and then the follow up, “Why does the world need more chick pop?” I believe the answer is money. At least we got to see the lead singer of Paramore’s boobs Tweeted, but I don’t think local broad Ashley Rae will be doing that anytime soon to make her music more exciting. … read more
Local Reviews: Righteous Audio Werks
Vocal-free reggae is amazing. It elevates the standard genre above just something to get stoned to and takes it to a level similar to jazz. That may be a bold statement, but bold bands like Righteous Audio Werks (RAW) are happy to do it. … read more
Local Reviews: Means Nothing
1) Music production software has become too easily accessable by regular Joes. 2) Utah will never emerge from the lesser-known Western states as a music powerhouse with music like this. 3) The bands in the above equation are not meant as praise. … read more
Local Reviews: Oliver Lemmon
Barring the fact that perplexion is not a real word, the rest of the title of this release bodes well for Lemmon, because I’m sure he thought this shit was solid gold when he made it—and sometimes confidence is key. I tried some fragrant local kush strains and thought, “Hey, maybe this guy is on to something.” Maybe he really is. … read more
Local Reviews: J.P.Whipple
I popped this bad boy in on the way to/through southern Utah recently. It’s sometimes folk-country music made for great road trip music, mixing with the increasingly redder rocks—and the “Mexican” elements of the music manifested what it might be like taking the same trail down to Las Vegas a-carousing back when honky settlers were exploring the southern deserts of this country. … read more
Local Reviews: Wren Kennedy
Kennedy (often seen slinging joe with Joe at nobrow coffee, or in his band Bluebird Radio) lays down some of the tightest vocal harmonies I’ve heard from a Salt Lake project. The lyrics are also of note and the recording itself, done by Kennedy, turned out great in a lo-fi way. … read more
Local Reviews: The Saintanne
The Saintanne is an interesting hodgepodge of styles and a rarity in the Utah scene. Their performance at a recent Localized at Urban Lounge was more thematic than musically engaging, which isn’t a bad thing. … read more