Review
Sidetracked
Just a Front

16Oh (2006) Zed

Sidetracked – Just a Front cover artwork
Sidetracked – Just a Front — 16Oh, 2006

When Tacoma, Washington mixed early Internal Affairs with a handful of power violence and took out the repetition, Sidetracked was birthed. The Northwest has been known recently for their exceptional melodic hardcore - Sinking Ships, Shook Ones, etc. - but Sidetracked is a quick reminder of what a dose of pissed off infested kids with instruments and amps can do.

While some songs on Just a Front seem to straddle the ten second mark, others more comfortably glide past a minute. The mixing of their influences makes an interesting ride. Take for example the intro to "Just a Front" that starts off with some youth crew groove and springs into frightening speeds and distortion.

If you want easy sing-alongs, mosh and/or melody look elsewhere; there's nothing easy about Sidetracked. They don't repeat parts. To some this might seem all over the place, but if you're a fan of attention deficit disorder, Just a Front will sock you in your mouth with what you've been yearning for. Just don't complain when you lift the needle and your newly discovered shellshock settles in.

7.0 / 10Zed • August 1, 2006

Sidetracked – Just a Front cover artwork
Sidetracked – Just a Front — 16Oh, 2006

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