SLUG Magazine’s collection of reviews covering the latest and greatest of Utah-based music, covering all varieties of genre, style and type.

Local Reviews: The Suicycles

Local Reviews: The Suicycles
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The Suicycles’ first EP, Four Chaotic Car Rides, showcased the band’s ability to write smooth electro-pop anthems, and now they have followed it with Experiments In Being Awake, which captures the controlled chaos that heavily defines the band. A notable distinction between the two releases is the addition of horns throughout the latest EP.  … read more

Local Reviews: Split Lid

Local Reviews: Split Lid
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The great thing about the alternative metal push in the early ’00s was that headline bands recognized they all had a distinct sound and did their best not to copy one another. Everyone following them, however, did, and have not stopped since 2001.  … read more

Local Review: The Old World

Local Review: The Old World
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The Old World is an album that catches a group of skilled musicians halfway through a transition from a power pop band to a ballad-brandishing folk rock ensemble. Though each song on the album displays their prodigious aptitude for their instruments and is entertaining in its own right, as a collection, the album is a bit sporadic.  … read more

Local Reviews: Exer Ovu

Local Reviews: Exer Ovu
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“Where was this recorded, and who recorded this?” is the first thought in my mind as I listen to Exer Ovu’s latest effort. I’m not even sure what I’m listening to for the first few songs. What I can make out is that the band consists of a guy and a guitar, and that’s about it. Most of it sounds like that point on acid when you’re jamming with your friends and you think you’re awesome, but really it’s just erratic noise. … read more

Local Review: The Devil Whale

Local Review: The Devil Whale
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There’s nothing not to like on the Devil Whale’s sophomore release, Teeth. Once again, the SLC favorites put out a disc full of pleasant but knotty country-rock. Brinton Jones’ vocals are expressive but unassuming, and the production has just the right amount of polish.  … read more

Local Reviews: Dani Lion

Local Reviews: Dani Lion
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Dani in the Clouds is a fast-moving and euphoric first release from recently formed pop duo Dani Lion, consisting of producer Daniel Fischer and singer Lauren Hoyt.  … read more

Local Reviews: Bootload Of Boogie

Local Reviews: Bootload Of Boogie
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There are times when you can judge an album based on its cover. From the cover art that harkens back to National Lampoon designs to song titles like “Go-Go Ho Sale” and “If You Don’t Love Me (Just Fake It)” and the half-assed attempts at lyric writing, you’d swear Sweaxxy Chogg was made on a dare. It’s as if all three members thought of a bunch of inside gags in high school and then put them to music.  … read more

Local Reviews: Joel Brown

Local Reviews: Joel Brown
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It’s not my place to complain about or bash on religious music. If you enjoy a good gospel number or a rock anthem about heaven, so be it. However, much like the dreaded Parental Advisory label, Christian albums should come with a sticker shaped like a cross so you know what it is. … read more

Local Reviews: In Dreaming

Local Reviews: In Dreaming
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Having met the individual members of this band several times over the years, I can say with authority that In Dreaming are some of the hardest working and nicest dudes you’ll find in Provo. The Pathless Sounds, their debut full-length album, proves that they are also skilled at composing some of the most individualistic and difficult-to-categorize music around. … read more

Local Reviews: Gerschweyn Matthews

Local Reviews: Gerschweyn Matthews
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With titles like “Strategies of Redistribution Regarding Devil Worship in the New World,” it is clear that this six-track album is going to be unusual, maybe even pretentious.  … read more