For Against :: Shade Side Sunny Side
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For Against: Shade Side Sunny Side
(Words On Music 2008)
I had hoped, before going out of town for about eleven days starting tomorrow morning, to complete a review of Shade Side Sunny Side by For Against. Officially released on April 8 but shipped to pre-order customers already a couple of weeks ago, it's the seventh full-length from America's finest purveyor of shoegazey dream-pop ever so far in the 24 years since they were first formed in Nebraska by the vocalist and bassist Jeffrey Runnings. But all I'm able to do is to give a quick rundown. Shade Side Sunny Side isn't quite the classic that For Against's finest achievement December is. But that doesn't mean it's not a damn fine record. In a year that's already seen a number of strong releases, it's among the best for me so far. What you get is a masterly balance of varied sonic textures, running from the post-punk stomp of the opening track "Glamour" (in the comments) to the atmospheric pop of the follow-up track "Underestimate" (reminiscent of the 2002 album Coalesced) to the fierce guitars (which are overall the stronger for the return of the original guitarist Harry Dingman III) on "Aftertaste" (under the red button). I don't have much yet to say about the lyrics, except that many of them seem to be reflections on the death of someone close to (perhaps a family member of?) the chief lyricist Runnings. This theme is particularly apparent on "Game Over" which winds through the first verse and chorus uncharacteristically with only a piano backing and builds up from there only with the greatest, most delicate restraint. Most of these strands come together, even if not altogether successfully, on "Quiet Please," which begins with tender Chameleons-style instrumental stylings and slowly transforms into propulsive three-chord riffing. Also included is a cover of "Friendly Fires" by Section 25 (one of the early Factory Records bands). I know many shoegeezers on MOG who will rarely get a better deal than the $11 that it costs to order this record directly from Words On Music. Shade Side Sunny Side comes strongly recommended from me.
(Words On Music 2008)
I had hoped, before going out of town for about eleven days starting tomorrow morning, to complete a review of Shade Side Sunny Side by For Against. Officially released on April 8 but shipped to pre-order customers already a couple of weeks ago, it's the seventh full-length from America's finest purveyor of shoegazey dream-pop ever so far in the 24 years since they were first formed in Nebraska by the vocalist and bassist Jeffrey Runnings. But all I'm able to do is to give a quick rundown. Shade Side Sunny Side isn't quite the classic that For Against's finest achievement December is. But that doesn't mean it's not a damn fine record. In a year that's already seen a number of strong releases, it's among the best for me so far. What you get is a masterly balance of varied sonic textures, running from the post-punk stomp of the opening track "Glamour" (in the comments) to the atmospheric pop of the follow-up track "Underestimate" (reminiscent of the 2002 album Coalesced) to the fierce guitars (which are overall the stronger for the return of the original guitarist Harry Dingman III) on "Aftertaste" (under the red button). I don't have much yet to say about the lyrics, except that many of them seem to be reflections on the death of someone close to (perhaps a family member of?) the chief lyricist Runnings. This theme is particularly apparent on "Game Over" which winds through the first verse and chorus uncharacteristically with only a piano backing and builds up from there only with the greatest, most delicate restraint. Most of these strands come together, even if not altogether successfully, on "Quiet Please," which begins with tender Chameleons-style instrumental stylings and slowly transforms into propulsive three-chord riffing. Also included is a cover of "Friendly Fires" by Section 25 (one of the early Factory Records bands). I know many shoegeezers on MOG who will rarely get a better deal than the $11 that it costs to order this record directly from Words On Music. Shade Side Sunny Side comes strongly recommended from me.
Comments (9)
Have 'For Against' coming to Atlanta on Saturday November 8 at the Earl with Springhouse (jack rabid's big takeover) opening up. Get tickets while they last at www.badearl.com
Shade side Sunny side is the best cd of 2008 bar none. This is their only southern show and have never been here. They are coming just for this one off show as are Springhouse.