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“Shine,” which builds from menacingkeys right into those hypnoticvocals. What makes LNA’s soundmore unique than many in the genreis their willingness to include guitarsand other instrumentation alongsidethe synths. This goes a long way inmaking these tunes more memorable,like on the more chilled-out tracks“Summer Lies” and “Sun Space.”–Dean O. HillisLes SagesBlood HarmonyDeep Elm RecordsStreet: 02.26Les Sages = Death Cab ForCutie + The Format xLocal NativesThe idea of Les Sages’ third albumsounds better than the outcome. It’sa baroque form of rock with a slightmariachi influence. The music itselfsounds great, but there’s a sense offreedom lacking in the songs. Thestorytelling lyrics are intense, but thepercussion-driven arrangements seemto inhibit the energy created by JoeLarson’s vocals. From “Chauffeur deCorbillard”: “Driver of the hearse, doyou know the worth of the body in thebox?” The song features subtle acousticriffs, but the bells and hand-beatendrums carry the song. The incorporationof some electric guitar or guitarsolos alone would bring the songs tolife. It’s a very creative way to makemusic, but perhaps they could have abit more fun. However, they brilliantlyuse the piano and harmonies to buildemotion on “Cicatrice du Soldat,” myfavorite on the album.–Justin GallegosMathew Quen NanesNostalgiaSelf-ReleasedStreet: 03.05Mathew Quen Nanes =Chuck Ragan + Eddie Vedder+ Ryan AdamsRight in that new folk/punk singersongwriterniche with a country touch,Nanes can put a tune together. Thisthree-song EP shows a lot of potential.It’s different from a lot of the materialI would compare it to, which is a verygood thing. His voice is strong andhas a big presence, even when it’sdistorted a little too much on “Portland,”the edgiest of the offerings onNostalgia. The opening song, “Drive,”is well done, with just acoustic andvocals for the most part. Smartlyplaced electric guitar and tambourineswoop in for just the bridge and outagain, just as quickly as it came.Nanes has a great base here to buildfuture work on, and, as long as itcontinues to go in this direction, I’ll behappy to hear it. –James OrmeNight SweatsRed EPSelf-ReleasedStreet: 01.25Night Sweats = Bauhaus xJoy Division + Iggy PopUsually, an EP will comprise a fewsongs representing a short bodyof work by a band. In the case ofNight Sweats’ Red EP, four songsmake up over 30 minutes of darkyet poppy electronic indie music.These underground darlings werefeatured in SLUG’s Localized back inDecember 2010, and have gracedthe stage for a decade as membersof several other, popular local bands,such as The Red Bennies. I keepseeing references to them on myFacebook feed. Red makes it quicklyobvious why they’re on every tongueand fingertip. Scott Selfridge’svocals channel Ian Curtis––everyindie rocker’s favorite proto-gothsuicide––like a motherfucker. Liberaldoses of Bauhaus-ian droning basson “Keys to the Fortress” and “BodyTalk” meet frenetic drums reminiscentof The Chameleons UK and evenmore frenetic strains of electro-gumpop-meets-Iggy-Popon “Car CarCommercial” for a combination thatprobably shouldn’t work, but reallydoes. Complex, dark and layereddoesn’t always mean brooding!–Madelyn BoudreauxThe Rose PhantomAbandonSelf-ReleasedStreet: 12.21.12The Rose Phantom = DepecheMode + HIM x AlphavilleThe latest release by Salt Lake’s ownTed Newsom (Sleep Slid iN,Melodramus, revideolized),Abandon represents a new directionas Newsom turned his back on hisother projects to focus two years’time on the Rose Phantom personaand work. Marrying lush dramaticsand intricate electronica, the album’s10 tracks of careful and succinctindustrial-tinged darkwave would notbe out of place in a goth club or inan alternative radio station’s rotation.The bitter and beautiful opener, “AllI Want,” is a goth-rock slow burner,while “Here It Is” could be a newDuran Duran/Depeche Mode collaboration.Samples and tape loopsplay a role, but are mysterious andinvocative, never annoying or repetitive.My favorite track, “Into the Day,”recalls A-Ha and Clan of Xymoxequally—an interesting melding. Attimes, Newsom stretches his voice alittle too far at the low registers, buthis vocals are clear and gorgeous,emotional and spacious. Abandonis a beautiful work, and hopefully apromise of more to come. Find TheRose Phantom online at therosephantom.com.–Madelyn BoudreauxSalt Lake SpitfiresChaos Baby EPSelf-ReleasedStreet: 08.03.12Salt Lake Spitfires = Metallica- metal + The Dead Boys +Tough TittieSalt Lake Spitfires aptly synthesizethrash guitars and mid-tempo punkrock right off the bat with “Mountain”in the Chaos Baby EP, and pin downexactly what it would be like at a rockn’ roll show in the ’70s. The Spitfiressucceed in varying their songs yetretaining their own sonic signature:“Shiny Things” bounces with staccatoguitar notes akin to Thunderfist,and “Release the Dopamine” startswith a deep-voiced monster thatsounds like a Jabba the Hutt versionof the voice in Bad Religion’s “Deliriumof Disorder,” and then buildsinto a dance beat and a Ramonesquote, “Guess I better tell ’em/I ain’tgot no cerebellum.” “Sick Puppy”calls to mind the wistful guitar workof Blue Öyster Cult as the late MichaelE. Cline croons like Stiv Bators.The title-track closer ensconcescatchy guitar work and just the righttouch of grime in Cline’s vocals. I’msad I never got to see Cline perform,but I’m excited to see the Spitfires intheir new incarnation! –AlexanderOrtegaSearching For CeliaWhite FlagSelf-ReleasedStreet: 02.09Searching For Celia =Glowworm + ColdplayI reeeeally enjoy Searching ForCelia’s sound. I love strings, and Ilove them even more when they’remoody, frantic and excitable. I lovethem most of all when their undeniablyclassical sound is mixed into amodern interpretation, paired withelectric guitars, bass and heartydrums. This album is a wonderfulventure into the instrumental ambientarena, and the excellent electronicdetailing and production really pull itall together. It’s absolutely gorgeous.Even without any vocals at all, thisranks as one of my top local albumsI’ve ever reviewed. I love it, and Ihighly recommend it. –Ischa B.SinthesisHorseshoes & HandgrenadesSelf ReleasedStreet: 09.14.12Sinthesis = Sage Francis +The Black KeysYou’d think that a fusion of hip hopand blues would be a musical trainwreck,but Phaust and Phingaz,who make up Sinthesis, blend the twogenres nicely––especially consideringthey wrote and recorded Horseshoes& Handgrenades in a little over aweek. Pulsating, sharp and spaciouskeys/drums are the skeleton of thisalbum, with gritty vocals that arehalf rap, half blues rock. The tracks(especially “Lips”) come across prettyraw and no-bullshit, as they wererecorded live. “She’s Got It” is themost successful marriage of flow andblues, with thick, upbeat bass pairedwith slews of rap. Sinthesis are SaltLake born and raised––“All Day, AllNight” gives a local shout-out in thelyrics: “You’d have better luck cookin’up meth in Ogden.” While parts ofthis album definitely feel experimentaland tentative, overall it’s a well done,brave undertaking. –Kia McGinnisWake Up NebulaNever Fall In love With BirdsSelf-ReleasedStreet: 02.12Wake Up Nebula = MetroStation / Shiny Toy GunsEmo-electro has had its ups anddowns in terms of popularity—maybethere are still some die-hards out therestill listening to Playradioplay!.There always seems to be somewhatof a whiny, perhaps nerdy voice atopthe synthesized melodies. I’m not surewhat part of me this music appealsto, but somehow it does. The starrymelodies bounce with ease amidsubtle guitar riffs. Wake Up Nebula’sproduction is so clean and dreamy,it feels like hi-fi bedroom pop. “Inthe Key of Teal” is a prime exampleof this band’s excellent formula forelectronic pop music. “Alarms”showcases the bands lyrical wit andsarcasm over a moodier tempo. Ifyou miss your electro-pop days, givethis album a listen at wakeupnebula.bandcamp.com. –Justin GallegosMore reviews at SLUGMag.com.62 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 63