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 / 10 — Zed • August 1, 2006

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

Recently-posted album reviews

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

EP HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan” If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more