reviews
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reviews *
ALBUM REVIEW: FROG - 1000 VARIATIONS ON THE SAME SONG
It’s a bold move to name your album 1000 Variations on the Same Song. At first glance, the title sounds like a self-conscious dig—one that would be ironic for a band with as much breadth as Frog. But a thorough listen through 1000 Variations reveals the title to be a celebration, rather than a condemnation, of all the myriad ways to iterate on a single theme.
festival of the year: kilby block party
Kilby Block Party is a standout festival. It’s in Salt Lake City, where the weather is perfect in May. It’s got a backdrop to die for—mountains as far as the eye can see. It’s conveniently located, in the middle of the city, accessible by light rail (yes, SLC has trains!), which was free for festival-goers on the last day. And most importantly: the lineup was absolutely unbeatable.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
It’s tempting to call MJ Lenderman’s music “divorced dad rock.” It’s got Bob Dylan references, morbid quips about alcoholism, and dives headfirst into the more embarrassing parts of heartbreak. But this album is relentlessly addictive to even the least divorced, least male among us.