Review: Xiu Xiu – Nina

Review: Xiu Xiu – Nina
By

This is obviously a work of love. This homage to the late, great soulstress Nina Simone is beautiful and stark. … read more

Review: VNV Nation – Transnational

Review: VNV Nation – Transnational
By

Remaining true to their sound, VNV Nation have stuck with their trendy, almost mainstream, future pop style that created their popularity. … read more

Review: Synkro – Lost Here EP

Review: Synkro – Lost Here EP
By

This EP reflects the softer, more experimental side of dubstep that got its start in the UK. Dreamy vocalist Robert Manos graces half of the EP and makes the album easy to listen to.  … read more

Review: Gary Numan – Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)

Review: Gary Numan – Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)
By

Numan’s latest album, Splinter (Songs For A Broken Mind), the 19th full-length released under his own name, has expanded his exploration of heavy industrial pop music, the sound he’s embraced since the early ’90s. … read more

Review: Aloa Input – Anysome

Review: Aloa Input – Anysome
By

The styles the trio of Aloa Input (Cico Beck, Florian Kreier and Marcus Grassl) play with are multifaceted in their variations, but despite such a wide variety between the songs, the common thread throughout Anysome remains positively tropical. … read more

Local Review: The Wasatch Fault – Self-Titled

Local Review: The Wasatch Fault – Self-Titled
By

The band from Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah veers between something like a jam-band groove and indie rock angst. Vocalist Tyler Gilvarry, in his existential meanderings, resembles a much less tortured Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. … read more

Local Review: Vile Blue Shades – Live! in Salt Lake -or- Live! in Denver (I Don’t Remember)

Local Review: Vile Blue Shades – Live! in Salt Lake -or-...
By

Red state, blue state, now that both the Red Bennies and Vile Blue Shades allegedly are no more, Utah is much less a punk rock state. … read more

Local Review: Robert & The Carrolls – Everybody’s Famous EP

Local Review: Robert & The Carrolls – Everybody’s Famous EP
By

The first time I pressed play on Everybody’s Famous, with its opener “Vintage,” I was transported to the PCH, driving fast no doubt, but still taking it all in around me—the smells, the sounds, the sun soaking into my skin. … read more

Local Review: Riksha – Dream Drops Red

Local Review: Riksha – Dream Drops Red
By

Riksha plays heavy, hard, shiny metal, and their new release, Dream Drops Red, is a neatly executed album of exactly that. The music is loud, mean and beautiful. … read more

Local Review: Ok Ikumi – 10/13

Local Review: Ok Ikumi – 10/13
By

Karl Jørgensen, you rat bastard, what have you done with my brain? I have fallen in love with this album and refuse to take it off repeat. … read more