THE WOLFS The Wolfs ****
nnSeem like we can’t get enough of The Wolfs? Guilty! However, Pseudo Recordings’ beautifully packaged comp of the band’s oeuvre is not quite complete'where’s “Black Leather Gloves”? Still, this is as essential as smoking in bars. (MySpace.com/TheWolfs)
nnABNORML High Alert Vol. 1 ****
nnPart of SLC hip-hop crews Broken Silence and Kno It Alls, Abnorml’s (aka Johnny Utah) urgent, booming voice demands attention no matter the company. High Alert is just as relentless, a tough debut thick with attitude and 801 pride. (MySpace.com/Abnorml)
nnGEORGIA BARRETTO Hangin’ On ****
nnSan Paulo-to-Ogden transplant Georgia Barretto’s second CD is 10 solid tracks of stunning guitar work, sensual vocals and gorgeously fluid Brazilian jazz arrangements'why this isn’t a major-label release is anyone’s guess. Seriously. (GeorgiaBarretto.net)
nnDEADBEATS Recycled Obituaries ***.5
nnOver eerie-deep beats courtesy of DJ Shanty, the three DeadBeats (Lokal, Jest and Mimic) let loose a litany of lyrical labyrinths spiraling ever downward into the heart of hip-hop darkness. Not a party album, but one helluva trip. (MySpace.com/DeadBeats)
nnTHE TRADEMARK The Worst is Over ***
nnPleasant Grove hair-product enthusiasts The Trademark crank enough Everyteen angst and emo passion to sell a thousand hoodies, but there’s some mature (!) musicianship and songcraft under the Hot Topic sticker. Now buy a hoodie. (TheTrademarkRocks.com)
nnSINTHESIS Phree Cognition ***
nnA 27-track hip-hop semi-concept album about boozing through the night and winding up with the wrong woman? Sounds like big fun, and Sinthesis’ Phingaz and Phaust deliver bigger with unceasingly clever beats and wordplay that slays. (MySpace.com/Sinthesis)
nnTHE HOTNESS The Hotness **.5
nnIf those WB hunks of Supernatural had a spook hunch that led them into an abandoned, haunted ’80s mall, The Hotness would be kicking out the Casio ghost-jams down by the Chess King. Welcome to Dance Dance De-evolution! (MySpace.com/TheHotnessBand)
nnTHE MIGHTY TFG Snow Black *
nnShort-bus punk-metal doesn’t get any more stoopid than “Sex With a Model,” the second cut on The Mighty TFG’s five-song torture device, er, debut. So what if they can’t play, sing or write? Takin’ the bronze in the Special Olympics of Rawk. (TheMightyTFG.com)