Artist Side FX
Album Turning Point
Released 2010
Label Realize Records
Link http://www.sidefxband.net/index.asp
Washington DC-based Side FX labels itself as alternative pop. Each members’ musical style differs, but collectively this helps the musicality of their brand. Fronted by Kim Cameron, Side FX has plenty of personality and potential, that is somehow misplaced in the form of a CD. Their new album Turning Point, is out now.
The band sounds like Wilson Phillips meets Heart. Their songs are very laidback and blasé, almost like the members are jamming in their living room and people just happened to walk in and listen. It’s soothing, yes. Yet some of the song titles like “Magic Lands” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” are extremely cheesy, just like some (if not all) of the lyrics. Overall, it’s endurable. Their only remedy is to find another lead singer, or at least switch singers every now and again. Unfortunately, the singing works only in certain songs and the tracks that are excruciating to listen to are bad due to the vocals.
“Timeless” is a pretty lame starting track. It sounds like a mock tv-movie band which is comprised by talented musicians who write crap songs and can’t sing worth a damn. The semi-rock, lackluster track is the poster boy of bad songs. ★★★★
“Are You thinking of Me” is way better than the first where the vocals sounded like Paris Hilton with a plastic guitar. This song is pretty nifty by comparison and it’s worth it for the guitar riffs. ★★★★★★★
“Magic Lands” is a softer song that manages to avoid the baby talk, and still rock out demurely. By now it’s apparent that the band’s sound is charming because of their time warp into the early nineties. ★★★★★★★
“Stories” is the most interesting song yet. Its jazzy intro and fun instrumentals showcase the band’s versatility and artistry. ★★★★★★★★
“Simple Touch” maintains the jazz vibe and actually elevates their status with a sexy intro, mature vocals and the ability to keep the momentum throughout. ★★★★★★★★
“Rainy Days and Mondays” is just as bad as the title suggests. Surely, the music is actually great. These people can play, but the lyrics? It could work perfectly as an instrumental interlude. Alas, that’s not the case, so what to do? A live version is sure to be epic, as the track will give you goose bumps. ★★★★★★
“Let’s Paint This Town” is bad, bad, bad. Like the first track the lyrics are dated and unbelievably, annoyingly repetitive, personality-less, oh, and of course, embarrassingly out of place. The song is not sold at all. Rather have a man than paint the town with these…★★★★
“Amazing Dreams”: YES YES YES! First of all, kudos for adding someone else’s vocals in the intro, excellent (although mildly misleading)! Secondly, the change of pace in the right direction, with believable lyrics (still not the best), works for them. As long as you stop trying to be all independent and powerful like the previous track, it’s all good. ★★★★★★★
“It’s Not My Time” is another track that sounds great and is completely destroyed because of the unfitting vocals. Another instrumental interlude, please! ★★★★★★
“Broken Heart” is another eclectic track, which fuses rock with Middle Eastern beats. The vocals are calm most of the time, which make the song actually work (God, are you there?!). ★★★★★★★★
“Contradictions” just sails along, hoping to find land, and even though it comes close, it decides to go for another lap. The song is worth it for the instrumental break on the 1:28 to 1:44 mark. ★★★★★★★★
“Stories (Dance Version)”: the best song of the set just got better! There’s life in here after all! A dance beat, additional vocals, and you got yourselves a genuinely great track. ★★★★★★★★★
“Are You Thinking of Me (Country Mix)” actually works too. (Is there a pattern here?) The country version, although softer than the original, has a lot to give. And like that, ladies and gentleman, this album ends on a high. ★★★★★★★★
Music
Film & TV
