SLUG Contributor Limelight
September 28, 2009
Contributor Limelight: Jessica Davis
Articles by contributor
Local Reviews: Lord Mandrake
The Best of All Possible Worlds proves that Lord Mandrake is both talented and interesting, but the album’s overall execution leaves something to be desired. Spooky delayed guitars and reverb vocals lazily flow over each song and each track blends nicely into the next, but the songs all sound too similar and nothing really grabs your attention. … read more
Local Reviews: OK Ikumi
This is the second release of OK Ikumi’s mini CD series. Nano, created using a Game Boy and a program called Nanoloop, sounds amazing. Just close your eyes and hop into any Nintendo video game (preferably ones from the Classic Nintendo that you had to blow on the games and hope to magic the game started). … read more
Local Reviews: Rope or Bullets
Sometimes I think bands are making music for the sole purpose of driving people to stand closer to speakers, with the result of never hearing anything again. Sadly, my dinky computer speakers are not that powerful. … read more
Local Reviews: Secret Abilities
After seeing Secret Abilities live, I can at least say they are consistent with their music. Most bands excel in one setting or the other. Secret Abilities are the same talented blah live or recorded. From crazy dance riffs in “Can’t Stop” to a disgustingly sweet “Love and A Parking Lot.” … read more
Local Reviews: Ok Ikumi
Trying to think of all the technical things that go into this is mind destroying. … read more
Local Reviews: RuRu
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
Local Reviews: Against the Season
I had a very hard time getting through this CD. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there waiting to hear female vocals delayed over generic “rock” guitar riffs, especially if they are played on the radio every half hour. … read more
Local Reviews: Bramble
Adventure, love and exploration are a few things we remember and look forward to as parts of summer. From the first track, “Fruit of the Moon,” Bramble takes hold of the pieces of summer and creates a wonderful full sound of acoustic medleys and eclectic percussion. … read more
Local Reviews: The Continentals
Rhino is a well-constructed album full of elegance that shouldn’t go unnoticed. The swirling synth and dreamy delay guitars create an idea of fading nights meant only for wishing for more time. … read more
Local Review: Drew Danburry – Goodnight Gary
Drew Danburry is one musician I have always been fond of. His music is carefree, fun and over the years, though he releases new albums, he holds a lot of the same pleasantry. … read more
Local Reviews: Arienette
This is Arienette’s first full-length album release. The album hits the clichéd acoustic routine found at any open-mic night to the exact point of “I’m glad I didn’t pay for this.” … read more
Local Reviews: Lexi Sayok
Lexi Sayok = Neon Trees + Big Gun Baby … read more
Local Reviews: The Love Astronauts
Oh, this album is a-hoppin’. Who knew ska could reach outer space! Well The Love Astronauts did of course, with ska-groovin’ keyboard and up-strokes followed by sax to trombone. … read more
Local Reviews: NSPS
This six song, six music video, limited Record Store Day release is a thing of its own. With ups and downs and spring-de-loop noises topped with vocals that linger between talking and trying to sing, it’s an accomplishment to simply get through the album. … read more
Broken Spindles @ Kilby Court
Broken Spindles Kilby Court 02.25.09 With BIRTHQUAKE!, and Bear Proof Arriving unfashionably early as always, I sat to take in the crowd of the trendy young-old people – anyone married, or whose loud conversations hold to bargain grocery shopping and removing mystery stains from the tablecloth. Though I do have to suppose these young-old people
Headlights @ Kilby Court
Headlights April 13, 2009 Kilby Court with The Love Language, and The Continentals One of the greatest parts of going to shows is being able to remember how amazing they were when they’re over. Really, I don’t think there is anything better in life than to hear,and see live music. If more people were to
Birthquake, Daniel Francis Doyle @ Kilby
Birthquake Kilby Court 6.23.09 with Daniel Francis Doyle and Wyld Wyzyrdz I admit I was here for one thing only: to satisfy my new obsession with Birthquake. Daniel Francis Doyle was going to be something new, and hopefully good, but he was a mere afterthought to my Birthquake-focused brain. Opening band Wyld Wyzrdz was very
The Valley Arena @ Murray Theater
The announcement of The Valley Arena’s return to Utah after three years called for my excited dance (which includes a hop, yell, and a bit of shake), with a preview listen of their recent release We Died. … read more
Sea Wolf @ Club Sound
The sweet, low voice of a man in a flannel shirt, the rain against the window flows with the strum of guitar, and you, lucky you, are sitting in the warmth of a small soul-warming fire enjoying this all to yourself. Mmm, if only this could be the layout of a Sea Wolf show. … read more
Mt. Eerie @ Kilby Court
From acoustic to electric distortion, Mt. Eerie has subtle ways of bringing surprises. Tonight he brought the rain, the comfort of the Kilby fire pit and high hopes of hearing some live snippets from his recent release, Wind’s Poem. … read more
The Sounds @ In the Venue
The Sounds’ Living in America was a random find at Graywhale when I was in Junior High. The album opened my sheltered mind to a new music world, even if it did lead to a strong distaste for The Sounds from the other kids in my carpool who knew the words to “Hit Me!” whether they liked it or not. … read more
David Bazan & Say Hi @ Kilby
I always look forward to Say Hi shows. From Say Hi To Your Mom’s drum beats and loop pedals to the full band sound of Say Hi , everything created by the robot, ghost and vampire loving Eric Elbogen is highly enjoyable. As for the headliner, David Bazan (formerly of Pedro the Lion), was going to be something new. … read more
Dirty Projectors @ Club Sound
Hip-swinging island beats and the call of a crazed jungle woman followed by thunderous bass and hyena-like cries: a sign that Dirty Projectors and Tune-Yards were a perfect pair to tour together. … read more
Mirah’s To-Do List: #1. Converse With the World
From life experiences to the real world found in books, Mirah brings the ever-growing serious matters of the world to her music. … read more
Book Reviews – May 2009
Reviews of The Religious Art of Zen Master Hakuin, Hew Screw + Glue: How Things Are Made and Northline! Check out these books! … read more
Compound: If you Hit the Wall, You Have to Take...
House shows are the best way to see live music. Sweaty musicians, and a sweaty crowd come together on a person-to-person basis instead of king-to-peasant basis. In Provo, UT behind the tucked away door of #166 lies the Compound––part time illegitimate venue and current residence of Joey Mayes. … read more
Wesley Johnson
At only 21, Johnson is already making a living recording full time. “I work well with bands my age. It’s easier for them, compared to working with somebody much older. They feel more comfortable, which helps the outcome of their music.” Johnson makes it clear that he’s not just the guy in a band with a studio though, “I’m an engineer, not a hobbyist.” … read more
National CD Reviews – November 2009
National music reviews from Brother Ali, Devendra Banhardt, Fuck Buttons, The Gossip, Immortal, Jookabox, Lewd Acts, The Raveonettes, Sea Wolf, Strike Anyhwere, White Denim and many more. … read more
Signed & Numbered
Leia Bell and Phil Sherburne’s house is the epitome of simple, artistic comfort. Framed prints decorate the walls and two large, loving dogs are the perfect welcoming party. Seated at their table for four, Bell and Sherburne share the beginning of their local poster and frame shop, Signed & Numbered, currently located under Slowtrain, and what’s in store for their relocation into two new locations, opening up early 2010. … read more
Beehive Bazaar
Crafting. If you haven’t heard of the new generation of crafters, the word itself can conjure up images of a granny with knitting needles making pastel fuzzy sweaters. The Beehive Bazaar, produced and founded by Noelle Olpin and the husband-wife team Molly and Duane Call, is a craft fair for those trendy crafters cleverly disguised as mothers, girlies and possibly the cute boy in the freshly screen-printed tee. … read more
Vertical Diner: Jukebox Live
It’s Saturday night and you’re hungry. You’re in the mood to see some live music while you eat, but the only place you can think of is the bar and your hot date happens to be under 21. You drive by a steak house, sushi joint and McD’s and remember she digs being a vegetarian. She hints that the Vertical Diner is a delicious choice. It’s rated second-best vegetarian restaurant in Utah by City Weekly’s annual Best of Utah competition, and to top it off, they’ve added live music every Friday and Saturday night. That’s right, you’ve scored: burger, fries and a shake–without the meat breath when it’s makeout time. … read more
Localized – Fictionist, Bramble and Boots To The Moon
From professional charm to boyish adventures, this month’s Localized features the smooth sounds of Fictionist and the adventurous souls of Bramble on August 20 at the Urban Lounge with opener Boots to the Moon. Only $5. … read more