Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

A return to the music scene for the very talented Jerry Davison, former frontman for American cult hero band Jacob's Trouble. In some ways Sideways 8 continues in a similar vein pulling together all the things that made JT great! Wearing their '60s influences firmly on their collective sleeve and cross fertilising them with a healthy dose of 70s powerpop, this still sounds healthily contemporary. Aptly enough, there are eight songs on this debut album which mix observation, humour and catchy singalong superbly satisfying melodies. Yes, I like this! I think it's just the sardonic wit of "Be In A Band" which tells the ambitious dreams of giving up school and becoming superstars that makes me smile. (And let's face it, any band which namechecks Cheap Trick in a song has to be cool!) "What Will You Be" is a chunky, medium paced challenge to consider the impact of the life choices we make. 'Cross The Line' lets out all the stops and rock'n'rolls like a good un' whilst "Hiding In The Bushes (With Adam & Eve)" manages to balance some astute observations about human nature with some sub Link Wray '60s guitar pop. Elsewhere, something like "Save Me" perfectly illustrates Jerry's talents for writing catchy Beatles influenced pop and Sideways8 look like a band who deserve more attention.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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