Music
SLUG Magazine’s collection of reviews covering the latest and greatest of Utah-based music, covering all varieties of genre, style and type.
Local Reviews: Rapid Development
This album took me by complete surprise. Everything about it made me wonder why Rapid Development isn’t already a super national hip-hop force with every show sold out across the states. The beats are quite well made and then on top of all that, the lyrics complement the music so perfectly you get lost in the sounds. … read more
Local Reviews: Patches
This is what Tenacious D would sound like if they had a pinch of emo in them and listened to Brand New all day long. Patches is good in an acoustic death metal kind of way. This music is really pretty cool for just a couple of guys rocking out on acoustic guitars. … read more
Local Reviews: Gripp
Gripp does his own production. If he had some quality producers and an actual DJ backing him, his future rhymes could find a place in my album rotation. If I were a big fan of computer-produced rap, then this album would already be there. … read more
Local Reviews: The Furs
No need to worry PETA, The Furs aren’t out to collect helpless animals, but they could be turning Salt Lake into the next Haight-Ashbury. Although our hippies reside mainly at the Sunday drum circle, we have been getting a healthy dose of local psychedelic music. … read more
Local Reviews: Erratic Erotica
This album is like the opening of a dimly lit film reel, starring one finetuned band that could morph into two separate perfomances, much like the theatrics in Xanadu. Playing is melodically haunting vaudeville like the Dresden Dolls, yet more emotionally frantic and energetic like Gogol Bordello. … read more
Local Reviews: Danger Hailstorm
I wish I could say that all local bands suck and that Utah doesn’t have any talent (you know, for national “street cred”), but when bands like Danger Hailstorm drop in my lap I can’t pretend anymore. This three-piece can gnash its teeth. … read more
Local Reviews: Dacho
I have much love for Dacho. Chief and Doc are probably the two nicest, most chill individuals you will ever meet. This seven-song album marks a proper studio release from the band and, although the production quality lacks a little, the two wonder twins straight-up do work on the music on this album. The musicianship here is exceptional. … read more
Local Reviews: Cavedoll
Cavedoll carelessly litter genres new wave, post punk, IDM, industrial, 70s glam, ethereal, darkwave, indie, trip-hop and avant-garde pop throughout their music without claiming allegiance to anything beyond their own musings. They’re a writer’s nightmare in their refusal to sit still long enough to be described; a detail further emphasized when the band decides to unleash its complete collection of unreleased material all at once. … read more
Local Reviews: Mushman
If I didn’t already, now I certainly feel like a child. There must be a secret to make an album friendly and inviting, and Mushman’s got the ingredients. Step 1: Start off with lovely acoustic guitars. Step 2: Add in a clarinet, harmonica and some keys. Step 3: Mix gently with sweet melodies and vocals, and last, but not least, Step 4: The “special” sauce, a local twist. … read more
Local Reviews: Invaders
It’s not very often I’ll get a tasty treat of chunky doom from our local bands, but holy shit, Invaders has nailed it. This humble little EP pounds three songs of heaviness into your pink, supple little ear drums without regard for whether or not you like them. As DIY as the release appears, the production is extremely high quality without much feeling of intrusive digital polish, which can often sacrifice that sweet atmospheric buzz you feel in the back of your throat. … read more