Every year I come out with a little list of albums that have been released throughout the year. This list isn’t meant as a competition. During the turbulent and transformative year of 2018, I have found myself constantly re-listening to these gems. They are remarkable works of very talented artists. All articles were published exclusively here at nixbeat.com, at Utah Stories, SLUG Magazine or Heatwave Magazine. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Reverand Beatman and Nicole Izobel Garcia — Baile Bruja Muerto  (2018) “Beat-Man says ““Everybody that comes to one of our shows will be saved and converted.” Audiences can expect to hear tracks like “Come Back Lord” and “Black Metal.” “Come Back Lord” is upbeat track with a pronounced organ sound. It’s the kind of tune that will evoke the dancefloor to shutter. In contrast “Black Metal” is a kind of dark bluesy ballad. A warning though, this performance is not for the faint hearted, but there will never be anything else quite like it. ”

The Speedways — Just Another Regular Summer ( 05.27.2018 )
“This album was composed by Mathew Julian with the addition of Dec Burns on the drums. Just Another Regular Summer captures the nostalgic essence of Joey Ramone’s longing vocals by twisting it with an attitude worthy of the Exploding Hearts and infusing it with the hopeless romantic nature of Protex and the Speedies. The tracks on Just Another Regular Summer are performed with a kind of painful restraint but maintains a cool and passionate feeling. This is especially evident with the track “Reunion In The Rain.” “

The Revox — In Mono (09.14.2018)
“All the way from Switzerland, The Revox embody the voracious spirit of sounds meant for the wild and untamed. They celebrate a style mixing the essence of the raucous Black Lips twisted with The Chesterfield Kings, but emphasizing the moody but primitive nature of Los Saicos. Their new record In Mono exemplifies their talent to blast out raw garage punk stompers through hi energy tunes of desperate rock n’ roll with dashes of fuzzed out psychedelia.”

Fashionism — Smash Singles LP (04.2018)   “The songs found within the grooves of the Smash Singles LP celebrate the clever nature could have been heard by The Boys or even by the sharp wit of The Adverts. This is largely thanks to vocalist Jeffery McCloy masterful weaving of punchy lyrics that tell a story with a sound that combines the infectious nature of Bay City Rollers like glam rock meeting the sensibilities of The Purple Hearts. “

Los Yayaz — Born Dead ( 05.12.2018)
“Los YaYaz have blazed through the Salt Lake City music scene by combining the wild and primitive style of Los Yetis and Los Saicos with the intensity of The Sonics. This new record maintains their iconic blended style with all the trappings of repressed teenage angst and longing desperation. Their delivery is raw and if I didn’t know better I would have sworn Born Dead was some long lost garage-punk- unknown. “

d

Honorary Top 5 Mentions

1. Faz Waltz — Double Decker (03.21.2018)
2. The Blankz— White Baby/Sissy Glue (07.13.2018)
3. The Terror Surfs — Mutant Surfin’ Trash  (02.23.2018)
4. Reverend Beat Man — Blues Trash  (04.05.2018)
5. Wild Evel and The Trash Bones — Digging My Grave (11.24.2017)