The Sideshows is the project that Sami Yaffa chose to test out his new studio he was building in Mallorca, with long time friend and regular support act Rich Ragany from the Role Models, Loyalties and Digressions along with Simon Maxwell, they self-produced the album at Sami's Red Mud Studios in Mallorca, the album was mixed by Andy Brook and mastered by Graeme Lynch.
The album kicks into gear with Brand New that sounds like classic punky new wave rock & roll, for someone who has survived all his mates walking away from him, so that now everything is Brand New again, like the Demolition 23 adjacent riff this is built on.
I Feel It you know that power that surges through you, when you hear a really great rocking tune, driven along by super tight drumming and taut basslines, you'll have all those feelings stirred, this powers on, stealing a guitar part from Iggy and that spirit surging though you once more like electricity.
Not Sorry is for not apologising for being yourself and carrying on doing what you want to do, no matter what, the bass and drums are joined in a race to get everyone locked into that groove with them, while Rich explains all the ways he'll keep fighting.
Our Love In The Shadows careens across the speakers filling the space between Dramarama and The Loyalties, punchy power pop rock making it clear why Our Love In The Shadows is better than having it plastered all over Tik Tok and Instagram.
Rock And Roll Owes Me An Apology yeah right it does, it's given this trio a good life and hundreds of great nights out, and the slightly Indian tinged guitar figure, that leads to the breakdown, adds a cool unexpected element, but let Rock And Roll apologise to them if it means they make more records as good as this one.
Say Goodbye On A Night Like This as they are hitting the road again, so wave them off and let them be the rockers they are, if possible, they will leave on good terms and be able to come around next tour with more supple songs for getting high and having a good time together.
Smoke Show a shining song of emotions, for the friendships that are really Smoke Shows everything is an apparition, nothing is real, not even your love for obscure power pop bands to lift things from, everything seems to follow Sami's bassline, while you will be singing along to this within a couple of listens, the chorus is that catchy.
The Start takes them back to being in a cross fire hurricane back in the day, for some thoughts on who will be the last man standing, did you mean to start that new relationship, or did you just want to chat about The Knack and Cheap Trick all night long again, whatever happens though Rich will be the last one standing at the bar.
This Could Be Everything is a slow rockin' ballad for what could be the start of a beautiful friendship but might just be leading you to more violence and heartbreak, while it feels more like an old friend or a song you've know for years but can't quite place.
The album closes with We're Such A Shame that rushes at you like the apologies will be automatic while you figure out what is and isn't worth fighting for, catchy hooks are top of this trio's list it would appear. There is no shame in wanting to make more records that sound this immediate.
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