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: The Wasatch Fault – Self-Titled

Local Review: The Wasatch Fault – Self-Titled
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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-...
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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
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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
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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
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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

Local Review: No Sleep – Self-Titled

Local Review: No Sleep – Self-Titled
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Happy Valley pop rock is alive and well with the Provo band No Sleep’s self-titled full-length. Guitarist Matthias Hammon’s shimmering, fingerpicked arpeggios dominate the somewhat spare production with the sweet-without-saccharine vocals of Shelby Crawley, who shares vocal duties with Hammon. … read more

Local Review: The Moth & the Flame – &

Local Review: The Moth & the Flame – &
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Producer Joey Waronker (drummer for Beck) has melded together this artistic vision with unconventional and wonderfully complex rhythms. This EP thumps in its catchy haunt and one can’t help but to close their eyes and listen. … read more

Local Review: La Verkin – Judge The Judger

Local Review: La Verkin – Judge The Judger
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La Verkin’s freshman album is something to admire. Meaty chunks of Form of Rocket, cubed and diced bits of Accidente boiled in a mild Ian MacKaye–based stock—this album is a stewy mess that gets better the following day. … read more

Local Review: Intra-Venus & the Cosmonauts – Launch

Local Review: Intra-Venus & the Cosmonauts – Launch
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Intra-Venus & the Cosmonauts play raw, psychedelic punk rock. Their EP Launch, recorded and engineered by the band DIY-style, reflects their experimental punk mentality. … read more