Southampton's Hottest Property
This four track E.P from Leicester trio Sidecar 46 sees the bringing together of three level headed music minds, upping the stakes on rivalling unsigned bands. All currently studying at Southampton Solent University, the three lads have managed to land two feet securely on the ground with this stunning release. Combining influences of Incubus, Supergrass and the Chilli's, Sidecar not only provide a good live performance as do all the influences they aspire to, but have also produced a feisty, infectious debut.
"Now I Know Castles Don't Have Arms" supplies immense feelings of suspense and mystery through the sweeping guitar riffs and low range vocals. You find yourself singing along almost immediately, understanding why Sidecar are all the rave around Southampton at the moment. Big things are set for this band, playing to sold out crowds at the Joiners and putting themselves about on the London scene, supporting the big boys at hot gig property, Camden Barfly. Leading vocalist Rob Bray stated in regards to their new E.P "We're just well happy with it really. We wanted something a bit different that could still be listened to regardless of mood. It's everything you'd expect from us really."
FOPP sales have shown that Sidecar 46 reached number 7 in the Unsigned bands chart sales this month, and with appraisal from many different reviewers and the acclaimed Artful Dodger, the boys really are struggling to put a foot wrong. The quirky, enjoyable entertainment of this CD is something you rarely find the entire way through any release, but for once, I'm struggling to fault.
Although they attempt to harden their image, the cute threesome couldn't look menacing if they tried. Their tough guy illustration is transparent, which is fortunate really as the band's mummy's boy appeal is what endeared me quite so significantly to the band in the first place- possibly not a quality they wish to possess or desire me to broadcast to all! Not one track can be flawed and as with the primary objective of any EP you have to ask- did it make me want and crave more? To be honest, it left me gagging.