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Local Reviews: Draize Method
Slamming out legit hardcore—literally from the ’80s—Draize Method and their onstage socks n’ sandals represent a bygone era that has come back to haunt us. The band namely hashes out D-beat punk with natural, mid-level vocal aggression and thrashy chugs, such as in “Fear.” They do, however, add an Agent Orange-esque element in “Myself” and “Mantra,” where vocalist Dan Fonoti sings in a ghostlike voice and then breaks into throaty wailing. … read more
Local Reviews: DJ RoboRob
I was pleasantly surprised by how well produced this album was. DJ RoboRob is a local Salt Lake City DJ that you can find throwing the sickest electronic music you’ll ever hear at the Metro every Friday. Having been a producer for quite some time now, An Aria Electronica is his first EP, and he knocked it out of the park. Tantalizing synths, smart layering, amazing samples and hypnotic drums that melt beautifully into my ears are felt throughout the EP’s entirety. … read more
Local Reviews: Charles Ellsworth and the Dirty Thirty
This Arizona transplant has created a record full of sorrowful tunes that seems to organically flow from within himself. Gentle in his approach, each song is as thoughtful in its songwriting as it is in its production. One that stood out for me was “These Desert Nights,” which builds a picture of the lost feeling that Ellsworth himself has surely had while spending time in his native land. … read more
Local Reviews: Blackhole
This 40-minute live set is a slow burner—one long track of stripped-down, deep grooves from a psychedelic ensemble. Bombarding you with seemingly endless buildup toward a minimal climax, you have to pass that first crest before they start hitting their stride. … read more
Local Reviews: American Hollow
American Hollow offers an eerie blend of progressive rock and raspy, Eddie Vedder-esque vocals on their self-released EP. The background synths are darkly encompassing and help to fill their sound. These guys are undoubtedly talented guitarists. However, their sporadic changes in guitar chords and overall rhythm—sometimes metal and other times rock—left me confused as to what sound they really want to own. … read more
Local Reviews: The Trappers
Chances are that had I not come across this album for review, many of you wouldn’t have ever known it existed. This five-piece ensemble aimed for Americana with a twist of country, and they got it… in the blandest fucking possible manifestation they could have created. … read more
Local Reviews: Spell Talk
Spell Talk’s past year has essentially been a tidal wave of promotion and exposure. Any album following such a hectic year needed to push in one of two directions: more of the same for fan appreciation or experimentation for personal growth. … read more
Local Reviews: Max Pain & The Groovies
Channeling the late ‘60s/early ‘70s groove that once fueled the Human Be-In and the Summer Of Love, Pain and company find a niche between the psychedelic and heavy rock for their own modern movement. The heavy guitar riffs echo out of every track like a continuous wave of reverb, bending and weaving without a break and are accompanied by a cool bass and drumbeat that keep pace throughout. … read more
Local Reviews: The Hung Ups
(First and foremost, I need to apologize to The Hung Ups for not getting to this album in time: I’ve played with these guys and they’re fucking awesome. Hands down, they deliver pissy-yet-poppy punk rock that’s in your face with no compromises. All these members have been in the Salt Lake/Utah scene for years now, and they really know how to fuck shit up. Sorry guys, have a round on me. On to the review.) The Hung Ups’ self-titled release hearkens back to the simple pop punk stylings of The Descendents with songs dealing with skating, girls and all-American pizza pies. … read more
Local Reviews: The Fucktards
Congratulations, Fucktards: As I play this EP while my vulgar 17-year-old brother drives me to our parents’ house to steal food, he states, “This is foul.” Christ Punchen Fun! delivers boorish punk rock that sounds like it was recorded in a toilet littered with used condoms and week-old pizza crusts. … read more