Music
SLUG Magazine’s collection of reviews covering the latest and greatest of Utah-based music, covering all varieties of genre, style and type.
Local Review: Micah Dahl Anderson – EP #1
Micah Dahl Anderson EP #1 Mother Clucker Micah Dahl Anderson = Patti Smith + Death Cab for Cutie acoustic Tranquil folksy indie guitar stuff swaps off with Tourette Syndrome outbursts of frantic panic sans swearing. Nick Drake overtones swell and ripple, early Radiohead bleeds through sometimes as in “Pirates of the Universe;” if emo in
Local Review: Nolens Volens – Faux EP
Nolens Volens Faux EP Nolens Volens = Bjork + Rope or Bullets + The Anniversary It is obvious that Nolens Volens has a wide range of musical tastes—it’s probably a good idea they didn’t try to mix them all together simultaneously. Instead, they line up synth-pop ranging from spastically blippy to catchy next to
Local Review: Ibex Throne – Self-titled
Ibex Throne Self-titled (Elegy Records) Ibex Throne = Mayhem + Blasphemy + Beherit + Dark Throne From the cold wastes of Salt Lake City comes one of the fastest, most brutal experiences ever. While some parts are slow and somber, Ibex Throne is typically light-speed. The searing death growls and tortured screams of vocalist
Local Review: Nothing For Now – The Veil
Nothing For Now The Veil NFN = Alkaline Trio + AFI + Dashboard Confessional The best way to become self-assured is to get an ego first and then force yourself to live up to it, but Nothing For Now considers themselves a bit too epic. These recent SLC immigrants should heed the age-old wisdom
Local Review: Nate Padley – Monster of Vision
Nate Padley Monster of Vision Soundco Records N. Padley = Cowboy Junkies + Bob Dylan (circa Oh Mercy) + Steve Malkmus Nate Padley hits the “life is full of pain but art makes it tolerable” nail on the head—in a solemn, sincere way. He plays an army of instruments on Monster of Vision but
Local Review: Nexis – Game Over
Nexis Game Over Nexis = Jay Z + Hieroglyphics Slick rhymes and inventive metaphors of Nexis do well to gloss over his one downfall—lack of original content. He spits the same shit that everybody else spits—typical G-rap “I’ll fuck you up while smoking blunts and get the big deal I deserve” shit. His lyrical abilities
Local Review: Fail to Follow – Self-Titled
Fail to Follow Self-Titled FTF = AFI + Sick of It All (neutered) More punk than most hardcore bands that decided they were good enough musicians to show off, Fail to Follow is not unlistenable at all—mediocre, maybe, but definitely not unlistenable. The lyrics aren’t whiny and the vocals actually sound like they have
Local Review: Drug – Self-titled
Drug Self-titled Drug = Dub Pistols + ‘Quette Daddie’s casio Eclectic hip-hop outfit Drug engages old-fashioned movie clips mix with rumba beats, disembodied vocal samples, heavy beats and trilling flute stuff. However, the production’s flat and dead, and the vocal effects sound like Chipmunks zombies. Maybe Drug S5 stole ‘Quette Daddie’s Casio? Good production
Local Review: Born Free – Divine Madness
Born Free Divine Madness Born Free = John Brown’s Body + The Roots Born Free mixes hip-hop with reggae, rock, world music, techno and drum n’ bass, resulting in a diverse amalgamation that’s Jamaican first. Divine Madness is layered over with heavy electronic beats and gospel/spiritual sermonizing vocals. No slick mainstream 50 Cent here.
Local Review: Pelpp and A. Vanvranken – Pedal
Pelpp and A. Vanvranken Pedal Pelpp and A. Vanvranken = Worm is Green + Bjork’s Vespertine – vocals Electro-ambiance flutters in the deepening twilight; machines have warmth too. Like the sophisticated, emotional electronic renderings of Iceland’s Worm is Green, Pelpp and A. Vanvranken is minimal but powerful—knows when adding just one more note would