Local CD Revue | Music | Salt Lake City Weekly
Support the Free Press | Facts matter. Truth matters. Journalism matters
Salt Lake City Weekly has been Utah's source of independent news and in-depth journalism since 1984. Donate today to ensure the legacy continues.

Music

Local CD Revue

Red Rock Hot Club, John Whipple, Royal Bliss, X96 Live & Local, Fail to Follow, The Heaters, The Lethal West, Robert Lund

by

comment

RED ROCK HOT CLUB Gyptology ****

Straight-up instrumental gypsy jazz on three acoustic guitars, stand-up bass and violin'it’s all about Django and swingin’ like 1939, and the Red Rock Hot Club have the fou skills to do both justice. What the hell are they doing in Utah? (RedRockHotClub.com)

nn

JOHN WHIPPLE Songs for No One ****

nn

Optimistic title, huh? If there’s a local answer to hard-luck bluesman Chris Whitley, it’s singer-songwriter John Whipple; his heartbroken slide dobro and suicide-note lyrics burn like cheap whiskey. Check this before he moves away'or worse. (WhippleMusic.com)

nn

ROYAL BLISS After the Chaos II ***.5

nn

Royal Bliss re-recorded most of last year’s After the Chaos, plus a couple of new tunes'why? To capture a rawer-harder edge, and the payoff is immediate from the scorching new kickoff, “Brave,” to the end. The only RB disc you’ll need, now. (RoyalBliss.com)

nn

VARIOUS X96 Live & Local Vol. 2 ***

nn

Eighteen killer cuts from local scene staples like The Wolfs, New Transit Direction, Purr Bats, SuperSoFar and more, as well as under-the-radar acts like Fifi Murmur, Manic, Nathan’s Chainsaw and, well, Under Radar. Just skip filler No. 17. Seriously. (X96.com)

nn

FAIL TO FOLLOW For the Dead, the Dying and Those Still Fighting***

nn

Just re-released by Portland indie Over Giver Music, Fail to Follow’s full-length debut almost sounds like the work of punk veterans, not a 2-year-old band'the righteous anger and chops are more bulletproof than Bad Religion’s 401(k). (FailtoFollow.com)

nn

THE HEATERS The Heaters **.5

nn

The hooks and the ’tude are in place, but the Heaters’ garage-rawk rave-ups are a bit too clean ’n’ pristine to reach Stooges threat levels. Crank the volume, though, and closer “This is the New Shakedown” delivers sexy Nuggets destruction. (MySpace.com/Heaters)

nn

THE LETHAL WEST Betting on Your Return **.5

nn

Straight outta Holladay (“H-Town” to the locals), The Lethal West bleed suburban drama and Hot Topic angst. But least their name’s under eight words long and, for a semi-teen debut, this is nearly as tightly crafted as pinstripe jeans. (MySpace.com/TheLethalWest)

nn

ROBERT LUND Workin’ the Glory **

nn

Yes, it’s Mormon parodies set to classic hits, and most of it’s painfully sub-Saliva Sisters. But Robert Lund hits a referential homer with “Give a Talk at the Fireside,” set to Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” and suddenly it’s almost all worth it. (RobertLund.com)