National CD Reviews – July 2010

National CD Reviews – July 2010

This month we feature reviews of new music from Against Me!, Band of Horses, Brimstone Howl, Damien Jurado, Integrity, Kaskade, Morcheeba, Noctiferia, Ratatat, Starkweather, The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza and many many more.

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Out of School and Inside the Studio: Spy Hop Records Empowers a New Generation of Musicians

Out of School and Inside the Studio: Spy Hop Records...
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When I got a hold of a free CD sampler of local youth artists produced by a local youth record label, I was surprised. Actually, I was in disbelief. The first time I popped the CD into my stereo, I did a double take. I checked the CD and the sleeve to make sure that this was, in fact, the music of teen musicians as produced by other teens. It’s not just that the musicians themselves are talented and original, but the production quality itself is so good that I couldn’t help but wonder if some mistake had been made. My apologies to the talented folks over at Spy Hop Records. … read more

Metal of the Mountains

Metal of the Mountains
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I walk into Burt’s Tiki Lounge with Deavy Metal, the wicked bard of Killbot. After cracking open some tall boys and ascertaining that the reason Devin’s hair is so shiny is because he uses Dove, I have one thing on my mind: Deavy Metal Productions Presents S.L.C. METAL Volume #1 – FREE. … read more

Swingin’ Utters: Back in the Swing of Things

Swingin’ Utters: Back in the Swing of Things
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Though the Swingin’ Utters haven’t released a studio album since 2003, they’ve released a live album, a b-sides/rarities compilation, and earlier this year a tribute record was released. With news that the band will be releasing a new 7” entitled Brand New Lungs on June 22, a new album coming this Fall and extensive touring in the near future, I felt the need to get an interview with Utters’ guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Darius Koski and to get his thoughts. … read more

Localized – Menlo, Theta Naught and The Eden Express

Localized – Menlo, Theta Naught and The Eden Express
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Menlo’s intricately orchestrated indie-pop and Theta Naught’s improvised post-rock will be politely taking the stage July 9 at the Urban Lounge for only $5 with openers The Eden Express. … read more

Sage Francis and B. Dolan at Urban Lounge on 05.26

Sage Francis and B. Dolan at Urban Lounge on 05.26
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Urban Lounge can get interesting from time to time. Sage Francis and B. Dolan came through and (I guess) brought some crusty, hippie, anarchist types with em. After having Sage’s new CD on blast for a good two weeks in my car, I was worried I had overkilled it so close to a show. When I arrived there were a decent number of people in line. I was lucky enough to be taken through the Urban Lounge entrance process, and in to the show right in time to see my man B. Dolan.  … read more

Andy Bell – Non-Stop review

Andy Bell – Non-Stop review
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While comparisons to his active role as one half of Erasure are inevitable (they’d have to be) Andy Bell—one of the world’s most underrated vocalists—has captured the magic on his second solo album, the sublime Non-Stop. The secret here, besides Bell’s ability to always create a hummable chorus, is his willingness to experiment with his vocals. … read more

National CD Reviews – June 2010

National CD Reviews – June 2010

Reviews of new releases from Acid Tiger, Devin the Dude, Exodus, The Fall, The Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, MGMT, Minus the Bear, The New Pornographers, Off With Their Heads, Sage Francis, Sharon Jones and many more are featured.

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It Just So Happens I Have Many Concerns: An Interview with Damien Jurado

It Just So Happens I Have Many Concerns: An Interview...
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Damien Jurado writes songs like Robert Altman directs films. Like Altman, Jurado’s characters are victims of circumstance, sometimes environmental, sometimes of their own accord, who are forced to face down moral questions that they are unequipped to deal with. I had the chance to talk to Damien Jurado about his craft as songwriter and his new album Saint Bartlett. … read more

Serpents of the Midnight Sun: An interview with Nightbringer’s Naas Alcament

Serpents of the Midnight Sun: An interview with Nightbringer’s Naas...
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On Tuesday June 8th the demonic occult forces that are Green Mountain Falls, Colorado’s Nightbringer will unleash their darkened black metal distortions upon Salt Lake City. Nightbringer focuses on atmospheres as much as they do direct, fast and dirge ridden guitar passages. I got the chance to ask Nightbringer’s frontman Naas Alcament a few questions to explore the depths of their music. … read more