Local Reviews: WoO

Local Reviews: WoO
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This was a wonderful little surprise.Intrigued, not knowing at all what to expect, with zero press release and mysterious album artwork, I immediately put this in my car CD player. The result was approximately 45 minutes of minimalistic and soothing soundscapes that are comparable to what the revered Eluvium would sound like if he was marooned on a derelict space station.  … read more

Local Reviews: Ralp

Local Reviews: Ralp
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According to Moondog Music, Ralp (Casey Fritz to those in the know) has recorded over 200 songs, all of which are downloadable through their website. This makes reviewing this three song demo a little strange. Two years ago, SLUG reviewed Ralp’s first six-song demo in these very pages. Where it gets interesting is that all three songs on this disc were also on the first one. … read more

Local Reviews: Old Timer

Local Reviews: Old Timer
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Somewhere along the foothills resides a small family company who has been forging tombstones, among other things, for more than 100 years. This happens to be the spot Old Timer utilized to record this little gem because they do not give a fuck about studio quality polish or pristine production.  … read more

Local Reviews: Odetta

Local Reviews: Odetta
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I’ve had the chance to thumb through some of Odetta’s vinyl collection and just about every record I touched had some inspiring funk sound or soulful sample. The guy simply doesn’t keep crappy records in his crates and this is what makes Odetta’s production so solid. … read more

Local Reviews: M. Sartain

Local Reviews: M. Sartain
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Nepotism can do strange things when it comes to music. If it were not for famous siblings, there would have been no careers for Roger Clinton, Tommy Cash or Jermaine Jackson. But before you believe that brotherly kindness only manifests itself in national acts, consider the local surname Sartain. … read more

Local Reviews: Joshua James

Local Reviews: Joshua James
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Okay, I’ve got to say it. Joshua James is hot. Really hot. Maybe it’s those blue eyes (they’ll get you every time), or perhaps it’s his great jawline, but this is supposed to be an album review, so let me get to the point.  … read more

Local Reviews: Kid Madusa

Local Reviews: Kid Madusa
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Enter the dark, raw, silky mysticism of the parallel universe that is Kid Madusa. This album, Kid Madusa’s first, begins with a haunting, harpsicord waterfall and rich doubled vocals that seem to hold the sorrow and wisdom of 200 years, not the 27 of Lindsay Heath, exdrummer of Phono and The Tremula and current drummer of Bronwyn Beecher and Twin Lull. Lindsay’s trademark heavy, unpredictable drumming serves the album well, especially in the trippy beats of “The Baderie Acid Recovery Project.”  … read more

Local Reviews: Destructinator

Local Reviews: Destructinator
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The four energetic local youngsters that comprise the moronically- named Destructinator love to bend strings and serve up power metal solos, and, honestly, they’re quite good at it, but they need to banish their inner class clowns and freeze the irony pronto. … read more

Local Reviews: Vile Blue Shades

Local Reviews: Vile Blue Shades
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John Thursday California Adventure is the perfect record. It’s raunchy, fun and ridiculously danceable. A unique brand of sexuality oozes from every track. Songs like “Black Pussy,” “Purple Rain” and “Banana Hammock” are all instantly infectious and I couldn’t help but lose myself in the music. … read more

Local Reviews: RuRu

Local Reviews: RuRu
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An open, starry night and a brilliant fire would do nicely while listening to Isaac Russell’s soothing voice. With powerful lyrics (similar to those of Joshua James) and strong vocals used in “Bark at Ghosts,” Russell seemed to have something new and grand to add to the growing folk scene. … read more