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: Johan the Angel
This fun little four-track goes something like “The General’s Son” Pt. II, I, III, and IV and in that order. Or is it one track that just lasts eleven minutes? I think they are trying to trick us. Where is Ashton Kutcher? If I’m not being punk’d, then what was Johan the Angel thinking when they wasted however much money to put out an EP with four slightly, and I mean slightly, different tracks? … read more
Local Reviews: I Am The
After having reviewed the EP, I thought I was prepared for whatever I Am The was going to throw at me next, but nothing could have prepared me for this full-length LP. Everything these guys did right the first time around has just been added to and amplified. … read more
Local Reviews: Ex Machina
I honestly have to say that Ex Machina is probably one of the best local bands. They may be slightly inconsistent, but who isn’t. The first song on the album, “Syphoned” is by far the best track, but also seems to be sort of the bastard child. “Syphoned” comes out blaring and with serious intensity. … read more
Local Reviews: The Bad Apples
Salt Lake locals, The Bad Apples are back by popular demand from fans. Penalty Box Records founder, MC/ producer Mike Booth, and MC Sir Louis Wildamiss bring some cognizant vocals to this LP with many local artists popping up in guest spots too. … read more
Local Reviews: AODL
Punishingly thick noise, AODL’s Scab Vodka Melt has a distinct protonoise flavor��a single layer of frequencies wildly fluctuating and distorted beyond all reason. Occasionally, the sounds will layer to create a bit of a dynamic building effect, but overall the album leans towards hammering consistency and repetition. … read more
Local Reviews: WoO
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
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
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
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
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