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: Avintage
Harkening back to the alternative-pop that was popular a decade ago, Avintage have put a new spin on the anthem rock genre that met its doom when post-grunge came into fashion. Formed late last year by two college roommates, the duo picked up bandmates from around the state and quickly hit the studio with everything they had. … read more
Local Reviews: Arson Car
As much as Arson Car would probably like to be revered as an eclectic indie-rock band with a lot of their Provo peers, the truth is their music feels more like a 90s throwback to the college-radio days. The vocals are an immediate giveaway, as if in adulation to Michael Stipe circa R.E.M.’s Reckoning album—they come across haunting and passionate with a sense of frailty. … read more
Local Reviews: Adam and Darcie
Adam and Darcie continue to create a delicate blend of poetic hymnals with their new six-song EP, Early in the Morning. Each track delivers a personality that washes over the listener with effortless precision. “Linoleum,” the first track, puts a romantic spin on the original NOFX song with the aid of Darcie Sanders’ elegant vocals and features singer songwriter Drew Danburry while “Aotearoa” swells into a misty anthem of love. … read more
Local Reviews: The Suicycles
The Suicycles’ first EP, Four Chaotic Car Rides, showcased the band’s ability to write smooth electro-pop anthems, and now they have followed it with Experiments In Being Awake, which captures the controlled chaos that heavily defines the band. A notable distinction between the two releases is the addition of horns throughout the latest EP. … read more
Local Reviews: Split Lid
The great thing about the alternative metal push in the early ’00s was that headline bands recognized they all had a distinct sound and did their best not to copy one another. Everyone following them, however, did, and have not stopped since 2001. … read more
Local Review: The Old World
The Old World is an album that catches a group of skilled musicians halfway through a transition from a power pop band to a ballad-brandishing folk rock ensemble. Though each song on the album displays their prodigious aptitude for their instruments and is entertaining in its own right, as a collection, the album is a bit sporadic. … read more
Local Reviews: Exer Ovu
“Where was this recorded, and who recorded this?” is the first thought in my mind as I listen to Exer Ovu’s latest effort. I’m not even sure what I’m listening to for the first few songs. What I can make out is that the band consists of a guy and a guitar, and that’s about it. Most of it sounds like that point on acid when you’re jamming with your friends and you think you’re awesome, but really it’s just erratic noise. … read more
Local Review: The Devil Whale
There’s nothing not to like on the Devil Whale’s sophomore release, Teeth. Once again, the SLC favorites put out a disc full of pleasant but knotty country-rock. Brinton Jones’ vocals are expressive but unassuming, and the production has just the right amount of polish. … read more
Local Reviews: Dani Lion
Dani in the Clouds is a fast-moving and euphoric first release from recently formed pop duo Dani Lion, consisting of producer Daniel Fischer and singer Lauren Hoyt. … read more
Local Reviews: Bootload Of Boogie
There are times when you can judge an album based on its cover. From the cover art that harkens back to National Lampoon designs to song titles like “Go-Go Ho Sale” and “If You Don’t Love Me (Just Fake It)” and the half-assed attempts at lyric writing, you’d swear Sweaxxy Chogg was made on a dare. It’s as if all three members thought of a bunch of inside gags in high school and then put them to music. … read more